(93-95 points) Slow to ripen, which was a blessing in 2018, but picked before the rain. Dense concentrated purple. The nose is discreet but fine, the palate an absolute explosion of really dense fruit with a fine crisp finish. Raspberry with intense ripe cherry alongside, just enough acidity. A real crunch at the finish.

The 2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes has turned out nicely, opening in the glass with notes of smoky berry fruit, sweet soil tones and a deft application of new oak. Medium to full-bodied, lively and fine-boned, its pretty core of fruit girdled by bright acids and underpinned by fine, powdery tannins, this is a suave, vibrant Nuits that will offer a broad drinking window.- WK