The Hospices of Nuits-Saint-Georges are reinventing themselves!

If some were still unaware of the consequences of the 2024 vintage's climate for Burgundy wines, they are devastating for the Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges, which will only be releasing 35 228-liter barrels and one feuillette on March 9th, instead of the 150 barrels released in 2023. Indeed, 2024 is a historically low vintage in terms of volume, with yields of 6 to 20 hl/ha for the pinot noir (28hl/ha for the chardonnay ), but Jean-Marc Moron, the stage manager of the domaine The Hospices de Nuits remind us that "nature knows best." Ultimately, it was the small harvest that allowed for excellent ripeness after the first 15 sunny days of September. In short, despite the year's very wet weather, 2024 is proving to be a beautiful vintage, classically Burgundian, elegant with freshness, intense fruit, and brilliant ruby ​​hues. We thoroughly enjoyed tasting these wines, which spent only a few months in oak barrels. They are flattering, complex, and, for the most part, exquisitely delicate.

Bottles and magnums from 2005 to 2017

To compensate for this small harvest, the Hospices have decided to draw from their cellars to offer buyers a selection of bottles and magnums from different vintages, from 2005 to 2017. In total, 240 bottles and 120 magnums will be put up for sale, available in lots of 1, 2, 3 or 6. This 64th edition will be conducted by a new auctioneer, iDealwine, the world leader in online wine auctions.

This "small" 2024 vintage also necessitates a change for the charity barrel, known as the Benefactors' Barrel. As a reminder, for the past few years, the charity barrel has been a blend of the nine Premier Crus of the domaine This year, the Hospices de Nuits are offering a barrel of Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru. blanc The Terres Blanches, to the association, "coucou nous voilou". The charity piece will be sold by subscription, 288 bottles at a minimum price of €150 each.

The association, "Coucou nous voilou," founded ten years ago by Marc Salem, works to improve the daily lives of hospitalized children and teenagers. The association created AbracadaBox, plastic IV covers in the colors of popular heroes and characters beloved by children, and also funds projects proposed by hospitals.

Texts: Gabrielle Hallifax

Photographs: Antoine Martel and Gabrielle Hallifax (homepage)

More information/Pre-registration required on the website before March 6th at www.idealwine.com

The tasting

Find below our favorites from the tasting of Hospices de Nuits-Saint-Georges wines, from the 2024 vintage.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru blanc Les Terres Blanches – 16 out of 20. Intense, elegant nose of flowers and white fruits. Beautiful length on the palate with tension, fruit, and volume.

Nuits-Saint-Georges village rouge Les Fleurières – 15.5 Spicy, mineral, floral, intense nose. The palate is smooth, supple, with a mineral finish and great finesse.

Nuits-Saint-Georges village rouge Saint-Julien – 16.5/17 This is a wine very much in the style of the appellation , with a lovely power, aromas of black cherries, woody mocha, blond tobacco… Dense, ample mouthfeel and good length.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru rouge The White Lands, rouge – 16.5/17 Nose: Soft, delicate, floral, fruity rouge … The mouth is full, with candied cherry, well-integrated oak, a mineral background and a good length on the palate.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru rouge Les Rues de Chaux – 17.5 Floral nose, red fruits… Beautiful attack on the palate with fresh, crisp fruit. The tannins are chalky, pleasant, supple, with generous fruit and great length.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru rouge Boudot – 16.5 Aromas of black fruits, spices… The wine is long, elegant, with a lovely soft, blond oakiness and generous cherry flavors.

Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru rouge Murgers – 16.5/17.5 Nose with dominant floral notes, red fruits… The wine is full of fruit, pure, juicy, on an elegant mineral background.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru rouge Les Saint Georges – 16.5 Delicate nose of cherry rouge The spices… The wine is soft, long, with silky tannins, cherry fruitiness and a beautiful structure.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru rouge Les Didiers monopole – 17 Floral, fruity, elegant aromas… The wine expresses a generous fruitiness, with a beautiful length, structure, depth and good balance.

Some old vintages

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru rouge Les Didiers Monopole 2016 – 16 The wine appears to be at its peak, with rich aromas of blackcurrant jam, truffle, and a hint of cherries in brandy. The palate has evolved beautifully, with density, fleshiness, and lovely tension.

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru rouge Les Didiers Monopole 2015 – 16.5 The aromas are subtle, and this 2015 vintage requires decanting before tasting. The vintage displays its power, with plenty of substance and body, fresh fruit on the attack, and a long, spicy finish. Still has potential!

Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru rouge Les Didiers monopole 2010 – 15.5 Lovely, well-developed fruit, persistent: jammy fruits, tobacco, mocha… The wine is smooth, fine, long, delicious to drink today.

Gabrielle HALLIFAX