The 1997 Nuits-St.-Georges Les Damodes has this estate's trademark tobacco, burnt leaf, and cassis liqueur-scented nose. On the palate, it is tangy, crammed with blackberries, licorice, and hints of violets. This medium to full-bodied wine has gorgeous purity of fruit, a velvety texture, and loads of sweet, supple tannins. It will be at its best if consumed over the next 7-8 years. Gilles Jayer states that his yields ran from a high of 37 h/h on the Bourgognes Hautes Cotes de Beaune to a low of 28 h/h on both Nuits-St.-Georges Les Hauts Poirets and Echezeaux. The wines were left on their lees without undergoing any rackings until having been bottled unfined and unfiltered. Jayer stated that none of his offerings had been acidified. "The freshness in my wines comes from the CO2 they absorbed while sitting on the lees." Importer: Robert Kacher Selections, Washington, DC; tel (202) 832-9083.