Gouges Nuits-St-Georges 1er cru Les Vaucrains 2018

93-95 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Picked in the morning and then in the afternoon the pickers checked bunch by bunch to remove any damaged grapes. Dense purple, veering to black with a hyper-concentrated nose, but it is still balanced. A huge sweet dark fruit mouthful with just a trace of the characteristic hillside austerity, but rather overwhelmed by the richness of the fruit. I think it will become more Vaucrains with age. Lovely peppery finish. (Nov 2019)"

93-95 points Fine Wine Review: " The nose has typical Vaucrains smokiness. The mouth displays good freshness and acidity with plenty of structure. The tannins are ripe, as is the fruit. (1/20/20)"

94 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2018 Vaucrains chez Gouges is an excellent wine in the making- powerful and loaded with pure fruit and firm tannins, but not as massive as the version crafted at Domaine Chevillon this year. The wine delivers a superb aromatic constellation of dark berries, black cherries, venison, espresso, a great base of minerality, woodsmoke and a lovely topnote of cola. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with ripe, firm, but surprisingly suave tannins, excellent nascent complexity and a very, very long, youthful and promising finish. This will be excellent in due course. 2035-2085. (Nov/Dec 2019)"

94 points Tim Atkin, MW (Decanter): "This nearly 1ha premier cru vineyard is among my favourites from Gouges, year after year. In 2018 the wines have wonderful purity and freshness, despite the heat, and the aromatics are alluring: crushed violets, nutmeg and dark cherries. Beautiful and focused with firm, ripe, supple tannins. Aged for 18 months in 20% new barriques. Long finish. Drinking Window: 2023-2033. (Oct 2019)"