The 2015 Nuits Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes had not finished its malolactic fermentation until September 2016 and unsurprisingly there was just a touch of reduction on the nose. The palate has a sorbet-like character on the entry, blood orange and fresh apricot infusing the black cherry and blackcurrant fruit. It has a grainy texture with fine structure and crunchiness on the persistent finish. I suspect it may need longer time in bottle than the Clos de Thorey, so afford this 3-4 years.

(in fût ; the malolactic fermentation finished in July): Good medium red. Pure but subdued aromas of currant, black cherry, smoky stone, licorice and violet. Intensely flavored and evolving slowly, combining a restrained sweetness and good salty minerality. Darker in its fruit character than the Clos de Thorey. The wine's strong, spicy, tannic finish calls for more élevage .