About
Domaine Henri Gouges
Domaine Henri Gouges is a family estate located in Nuits-Saint-Georges. It owns about 15 hectares of vineyards located within 10 appellations. The current winemakers are Grégory Gouges and Antonie Gouges. The vineyards of the domaine are cultivated according to organic principles; not certified.
The top wines of the domain are Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru Les Saint Georges, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Clos des Porrets Saint Georges, and Nuits Saint-Georges Premier Cru Les Vaucrains. The Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru Les Saint Georges 2015 scored 95-97, Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru Clos des Porrets Saint Georges 1971 scored 96, Nuits Saint-Georges Premier Cru Les Vaucrains 2002 scored 94-96 by the Wine Advocate.
Robert Parker described the Nuits Saint Georges Premier Cru Les Saint Georges 2015: “The 2015 Nuits Saint Georges 1er Cru Les Saint Georges took three or four minutes to unfold...but what a bouquet! Copious black cherry, cranberry jus, pomegranate and bergamot scents all infused with stupendous mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with saturated tannin, plenty of blood orange infusing the red and black fruit, a keen line of acidity and a gentle grip towards the finish. It constitutes one of the best vintages that I have tasted in recent years. It should be considered a "stunning victory" for the 2015 vintage, but without wishing to sound like a broken record, please cellar this for 5-7 years for it to attain its drinking plateau.”
The style of the wines is balanced, soft, fine and pure.
History
1920
At present, the winemakers of the domaines are cousines - Grégory Gouges and Antonie Gouges. Grégory Gouges became in charge of the domaine in 2003 and Antonie Gouges in 2011. They succeeded their fathers - Pierre Gouge and Christian Gouge, who were cousins too. Pierre Gouge and Christian Gouge took over the reins of the estate in 1980.
The domaine was founded in 1920 by Henri Gouges. In 1933, Henri Gouges bought the Clos des Porrets Saint Georges, the monopole of Domaine Henri Gouges. Michel Gouges and Marcel Gouge joined their father, Henri Gouges, in 1940. From 1980 till 2003, the domaine was managed by Michel’s Gouges and Marcel’s Gouge sons - Pierre Gouge and Christian Gouge.
Approach
Organic without certification
The domaine’s viticulture is treated according to organic principles but without certification. The harvesting is done manually.
In the winery, the grapes are destemmed, but for some cuvées, 50-60 percent of whole bunches are kept. The fermentation is conveyed in cement tanks, followed by light pressing and sedimentation. The maturation lasts from 10 to 18 months with one racking after malolactic fermentation. The percentage of new oak usage is 10 to 30 percent.