Domaine Odoul-Coquard Nuits St. Georges Les Argillats 2020

Les Argillats is the southernmost wine in the Odoul-Coquard Nuits-Saint-Georges village range — and the one that most clearly expresses the appellation's darker, more structured register. The vines are over 80 years old, situated at the bottom of the Combe at the foot of the hill — a position that delivers greater depth and concentration than the higher, more exposed parcels of the northern Nuits appellations, with the name itself a reference to the clay-rich soils that define this corner of the vineyard. Despite its village appellation status, Sébastien treats Les Argillats with the same seriousness as his premier crus — aged in 50% new oak, producing a wine of depth and super aromatic complexity, modestly creamy with a little implied texture, fresh and complex with vibrant flavour and a growing undertow of fine tannin.

Suave is the key word — suave texture, elegant structure and gorgeous density of fruit and minerality, the nose boasting cassis, blackberry and violet aromas. Pristine red-fruited purity, elegant spice, a hint of the right kind of animale and earth, mineralité — perfectly ripe, very sappy and a very cool character. A rich, fruity style boasting cherry, currant, spice and iron flavours — firming up nicely and leaving a healthy dose of tannins on the finish. This is Nuits-Saint-Georges in its most complete and compelling village expression — the old vines and clay soils delivering a depth and persistence that the appellation's more celebrated premier crus sometimes barely surpass.