Philippe & Vincent Lecheneaut Nuit Saint Georges les Damodes 1er Cru 2016 (750ML)

95 WS / 92-94 VM / 91-93 BH

Compact and racy, this red delivers plenty of black cherry, blackberry and spice flavors. Energetic and resonant, with vivid acidity and dense yet refined tannins. Everything is in the right place here, presenting a lingering echo of fruit and a chalky sensation on the aftertaste. Best from 2022 through 2038. 50 cases imported.—Bruce Sanderson, Wine Spectator

Bright deep ruby. Vibrant aromas of blackberry, crushed black cherry, cassis, violet and black pepper complicated by pungent stony minerality. Juicy, penetrating wine with terrific energy and intensity to its flavors of dark berries, crushed stone, espresso, bitter chocolate and iodiney minerality. The wine's firm tannins saturate the front teeth without coming off as hard. Really stimulates the taste buds on the very long finish. I like this! The pH here is 3.36, or a bit lower than the rest of these 2016s. Superb for this bottling, and built for a long life in the cellar.—Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media

Tasting note: A brooding and very deeply pitched nose is composed almost exclusively by cassis, plum, earth and spice aromas. There is even better volume and richness to the velvet-textured middle weight plus flavors that brim with both dry extract and minerality while delivering excellent length on the moderately austere and built-to-age finish. This beauty should amply reward extended cellaring. Outstanding. –Allen Meadows, Burghound