2022 Domaine Philippe Gavignet, Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes

In the pecking order of the great Pinot villages of the Côte de Nuits, it is the namesake, “Nuits-Saint-Georges,” that has generally been given the short end of the stick, falling behind Vosne-Romanée, Chambolle-Musigny, and Gevrey-Chambertin in the eyes of the Burgundy movers and shakers for many decades. Indeed it has actually been many centuries, because the Cistern monks that first mapped these vineyards a millennium ago failed to award it any Grand Cru to eventually hyphenate its name! But at their best these wines go toe to toe with their siblings that lie just a kilometer or two away. Philippe Gavignet is easily among the top tier of producers here, crafting wines that are soulful, terroir specific love stories to Pinot Noir. His “Vieilles Vignes” bottling, from two tiny parcels of 60 to 100 year old vines, is a perfect example of the deep complexity, and value in Nuits. I can think of no better cellar worthy Burgundy that is still sub $100. Domaine Philippe Gavignet is current