Côte-de-Nuits Villages 2002, Gachot Monot

Tasting notes from Burgoblog contributor Cobbie. On the first nose I was reminded that I couldn't recall appraising a "non-Gevrey" Côte-de-Nuits. I was transported back to a bistro in Nuits St Georges in an instant. The wine retains a bright and youthful character to the eye and the nose smacks of its terroir right off the bat - it's highly distinctive, rich, savoury, and leans toward the masculine. There is good fruit too: cherries, blueberries perhaps and faint element of mincemeat. Although the spicy and savoury character dominates - cinnamon sticks and a touch of liquorice for the spice, and hard cheeses for the savoury. The wine is well balanced and persistent right across the palate, and it has fulsome chewy tannins. A knockout villages? I dont know, but ignorance in this case is bliss.