One of the all-time Nuits, the 2002 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Vaucrains bursts forth with cassis liqueur and black cherry aromas. Violets, earth, tar, ink, licorice, and a huge assortment of candied black fruits coat the taster’s palate. Its stunning concentration and depth are matched by its nobility, balance, and length. This blockbuster’s tannin is so sweet and supple, as to be barely noticeable in its extraordinary finish. Projected maturity: 2008-2022.

Pierre Rovani (Wine Advocate #153, Jun 2004)

A beautifully complex nose that is just now beginning to display the initial hints of secondary black fruit aromas that are cut with intensely earthy notes merges seamlessly into ripe, rich and delicious yet entirely serious broad-shouldered flavors that are still firmly structured but not at all hard. This possesses terrific overall balance and culminates in a long if slightly austere and backward finish. While this could be drunk now if desired, for my taste it's at least 5 years away and more probably 10. No matter how you enjoy your Vaucrains, this will deliver buckets of classic old style Nuits character. Tasted twice with consistent results.

– Burghound.com. Tasted: Mar 2012