2008 Nuits Saint-Georges Cuvée Les Petits Plets 1er Cru

Due to rot issues, Olivier Leriche vinified in 2008 with a lower percentage of whole clusters than usual-and even less than in 2007. But he reported that the grapes were ripe, with potential alcohol levels ranging from 12.4% to 13.1%. And the skins were thicker in 2008 than in the previous year. Leriche loves the balance of the new vintage: he believes the 2008s will be long agers but that they have the fruit to give early pleasure. The 2007s are considerably lighter wines that will evolve faster, but the estate's top cuvees are subtle and refined. (A Daniel Johnnes Selection, imported by Michael Skurnik Wines, Syosset, NY; also imported by Chambers & Chambers, San Francisco, CA and Ex-Cellars Wine Agencies, Solvang, CA)