Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Nuits St Georges 1er Cru les Vaucrains has a fragrant bouquet with ebullient red cherry and wild strawberry fruit that is very well defined and shows prudent use of new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a gentle grip here with superb balance. Again, the oak is tangible but simpatico with the fruit profile (blackcurrant and damson) with a healthy dash of white pepper sprinkled over the finish. This is one of the best wines from Gouges in 2012 - excellent!