I thank Aubert de Villaine for leading me to young Gachot’s door. If you already know something about Aubert’s consummate taste, you’ll have an idea of what’s in store for you.
      After a thirty-five-year career, I have a headful of tasting memories, but my favorite are of the few occasions when Aubert and I met up at Richard Olney’s house in Provence. The wine talk during those occasions was sans bullshit.
      Aubert would bring a bottle or two. Richard was the cook. Since Richard did not drive, I did the grocery shopping.
      Richard would bring up some special bottles from his cellar, and invariably Aubert would look sort of shocked and tell him, “No no Richard, that’s too much.” It was never too much. Well, maybe it was, because I cannot remember one single brilliant line any of us spoke about any particular wine, but I’m left with the impression that our conversation was consistently profound.
      Now, back to the wine at hand. First, it is impeccable. Second, it does not exceed its appellation; it is not a substitute Romanée Conti; it is a perfect Côte de Nuits-Villages. The pretty nose smells fabulously of Pinot Noir. The palate has good, juicy flesh to it, and the tannin/acid balance . . . well, even in Burgundy you rarely find such an elegant balance.
      As red Burgundy or Pinot Noir, I think you will agree that this is an incredible value.

** This passage comes from our August 2006 newsletter, but it continues to capture the essence of Gachot-Monot’s outstanding Côte de Nuits-Villages today! **