Domaine Henri Gouges
Buy wines of Domaine Henri Gouges
Domaine Henri Gouges is one of the most historically important wine estates in the Côte de Nuits and is still closely associated with the identity of Nuits-Saint-Georges. The name stands for the classic, structured and long-lasting style of this appellation. It takes its name from Henri Gouges, born in 1899, who built up the vineyard at a young age and at the same time made a name for himself as a political figure in Burgundy. At a time when large parts of wine production were sold to négociants, i.e. merchants, and origin often played only a subordinate role, Gouges focussed early on bottling in his own estate and on an uncompromising focus on quality. This made him one of the pioneers of modern Burgundy. The domaine covers around 14 hectares and today owns important plots in numerous premier cru sites in Nuits-Saint-Georges, including Les Saint-Georges, Vaucrains, Chaignots and Clos des Porrets Saint-Georges. Les Saint-Georges in particular is considered by many to be the noblest site in the entire appellation and has been repeatedly discussed for years as a possible candidate for future Grand Cru status.
The wines from the domaine very clearly reflect the character of Nuits-Saint-Georges: more powerful, spicier and more structured than many wines from the Côte de Beaune or even some of the neighbouring communities of the Côte de Nuits. "No prisoners are taken here", writes Jasper Morris MW when it comes to the style of the house and the ageing potential of the wines. Accordingly, older vintages in particular could appear austere, tannic and almost rustic in their youth. However, it was precisely this structure that often gave the wines their enormous ageing potential. With bottle age, they develop complex aromas of dark berries, undergrowth, leather, spices and the earthy depth that characterises classic Burgundy. Although the style has been refined and made more precise over the past two decades, the basic idea has remained the same: no pleasing, quickly accessible Pinot Noirs, but wines with substance, origin and inner tension.
In addition to these classic cuvées, there are also more accessible wines today, such as the Nuits-St-Georges Clos de la Fontaine Jacquinot. It is also worth noting that the domaine offers white wines from a special Pinot clone. The "Pinot Gouge" is a naturally white mutation of Pinot Noir from the estate's own vineyards. The result is a "Bourgogne Pinot Blanc" and a white Nuits-St-Georges Premier Cru "La Perrière".
© Images: Domaine Henri Gouges
