Nuits-Saint-Georges Premier Cru, Pruliers, Domaine Lucien Boillot, 2016

The 2016 vintage, marked by low yields and concentrated fruit due to early spring frosts, produced wines of tension, purity, and aging potential.

A deep garnet, still youthful in appearance. The nose is tightly woven but expressive, with aromas of black cherry, wild raspberry, and crushed rose petals layered over earthy undertones of iron, underbrush, and subtle oak spice. On the palate, the wine is firm yet refined, showing the muscular structure typical of Nuits-Saint-Georges but with an elegance and mineral drive that speaks to its Premier Cru pedigree.

The tannins are fine-grained and supportive, and the acidity provides lift to a core of dark red fruit, licorice, and a hint of smoke. The finish is long, savory, and slightly ferrous, with excellent balance and aging potential—this wine will reward another 5–10 years in cellar but can be approached now with a good decant.

Domaine Lucien Boillot is a small, traditional Burgundian estate with deep roots in both Gevrey-Chambertin and Volnay. The Boillot family split its holdings between Lucien Boillot and his brother Henri, and today the estate is run by Lucien’s son, Pierre Boillot. With vineyards spanning both the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, the domaine is known for a restrained, terroir-driven approach: minimal intervention, indigenous yeast fermentation, modest new oak, and an emphasis on expressing the character of each cru. Their wines tend to show classic structure and age-worthiness rather than flashy immediacy, particularly in serious Premier Cru sites like Les Pruliers.