Ripe and supple in texture, this wine highlights flavors of plum confit and brandy-soaked black cherries accented by smoke, char and violet petals. Vinified from a blend of whole-cluster and destemmed grapes and matured 16 months in French oak (40% to 50% new), it's freshly balanced in acidity but pliant and open in tannin structure. Approachable young, it should improve through 2030 and hold further. ANNA LEE C. IIJIMA

The 2018 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Porêts-Saint-Georges 1er Cru has a fine black currant and bilberry bouquet. The palate is medium-bodied with quite robust tannins, not the most elegant NSG that you will find, although there is decent freshness and salinity. Give this 3–5 years to soften its edges. -- Neal Martin