Thibault Liger-Belair Nuits-St-Georges Les St Georges 1er Cru 2017 (750ML)

93-95 JM / 92-94 VM

40% whole bunch. 15 new in 27 barrels instead of 8 total in 2016. One third is Thibault’s special chauffe blanche. Dense dark purple, exciting concentration in this wine. Huge density on the palate, with all the plummy plumpness that Les St Georges can offer, but not too dark and with such a joyous fruit that the ever present tannins do not impact. The finish is just toughened up a little by the white oak aspect. Tasted: November 2018 —Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

The 2017 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Saint-Georges 1er Cru includes 40% whole cluster fruit, the most that Thibaut has used thus far. Matured in 60% new oak, it has a refined bouquet of pure black cherries, black currant, briar and crushed granite aromas, almost chalky in style. The palate is medium-bodied with immediate mineralité that alerts the senses. This is not a subtle Les Saint-Georges; it races out of the blocks with vivacious, almost flint-infused dark berry fruit and touches of bergamot and chai tea toward the sustained finish. Excellent.-- Neal Martin, Vinous Media