This is a very nice, solid, middle-of-the-road 1er Cru Burgundy. I mean that in a good way, it is delicious, and possesses a nice typicity that is characteristic of Burgundy. This all makes perfect sense given that Joseph Drouhin is a quintessential Burgundy producer, Nuit St Georges is in the geographical bullseye of the Cote D’Or, Damodes is a middle of the road 1er cru, and 2011 is a middle of the road vintage. It is a lovely wine, but clearly not taking any risks; the types of risks that sometimes payoff and produce an amazing product, and sometime don’t pay off and leave you with…well, not good wine.
This wine is poised, balanced, lacking in power, but still a pleasure to drink. The purity of fruit and focus of flavors are this wine’s primary characteristics rather than complexity. There is a crystal clear note of transparent Pinot Noir fruit that smells and tastes remarkably of Cherry Luden’s cough drops. I mean this in the best possible way (who doesn’t love cherry Luden’s?!); but the other flavors of earth, vanilla, and even a touch of ripe citrus, serve to frame those front and center medicinal cherry notes. The wine is very fresh, though tannins are virtually non-existent. Overall, a nice wine that went perfectly with some vaguely Asian inspired meatballs. (And may help you if you have a cold)