Domaine Henri Gouges, Nuits St George 1er Cru Les Vaucrains, Burgundy, France, 2023

Producer Profile

Henri Gouges began shaping the future of his domaine shortly after World War I, when he inherited 9ha of prime vineyards in Nuits-St-Georges.

Between 1920 and 1934, he expanded his holdings significantly. Today, the estate spans 14.5ha, including seven exceptionally well positioned Premier Cru sites. A pioneer in estate bottling, Henri Gouges was among the first in Burgundy – alongside notable names like Marquis d’Angerville – to begin bottling and marketing his wines directly in 1933. He was also deeply committed to low yields and strict vineyard management – principles that remain central to the domaine’s philosophy under the stewardship of his descendants. Now run by the third and fourth generations – Pierre and Christian Gouges, Pierre’s son Gregory, and most recently Antoine, who leads the winemaking – the domaine continues to uphold its tradition of producing structured, terroir-driven Nuits-St- Georges. In 1977, the family introduced rye grass cover crops between the vines – an innovation that has proved highly beneficial for soil health and biodiversity in the vineyards.

Viticulture

Situated above the Combe des Vallerots and directly overlooking the renowned “Saint-Georges” parcel, the estate’s holding lies midway up the hillside, its upper boundary marked by the edge of the forest. Naturally low-yielding, the vines produce grapes of notable intensity, expressing the character of their terroir through freshness and minerality. Vaucrains wines are, however, exceptional in their ability to age, typically requiring around ten years to reveal their full potential.

Winemaking

After a severe sorting and complete destemming, the fruit undergoes a long cold maceration, then a natural yest fermentation at a temperature not exceeding 29 degrees C. To further extract tannins and structure the wine remains in tank for 9 to 10 days, before being aged in oak barrels with a proportion of new oak.

Tasting Note

A really fine and delicate nose, oozing class and sophistication. Plum, a hint of leather and some minerality on the nose, as well as hedgerow fruits, gorgeous and well polished tannins combined with freshness despite its power and intensity.

Food matching

One to pair beautifully with beef, veal, poultry or game. For a more refined match, roast pigeon, venison, or wild mushroom dishes.