Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Clos de l’Arlot 2011 has a masculine, tertiary, sous-bois dominated nose that feels a little sullen compared to its peers. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and nicely judged acidity. Fleshy with strawberry and red cherries toward the tart finish, this has good vigor and poise and I suspect will age well. I love the substance here and it represents one of the better wines of these Nuits Saint Georges premier cru.

Monopole. 3,000 bottles. Same price as Clos des Forêts. Special soil, oyster-shell marls, not limestone. Planted from 1943-1952. Mid crimson. Some lightly heady violets on the nose. Juicy and with some vitality. Well done. Very juicy. Very persistent. (JR)