One-Man Show
2011 Bachelet Côte de Nuits Villages
The Perennial Over-Achiever
"...consistently one of the best values one can find for red Burgundy anywhere!" -John Gilman
Bachelet is far and away one of my favorite producers, something that, unless you're brand new to the email program, you doubtless already know. His is one of those rare, wonderful line-ups that really works as a collection, top to bottom; you can buy at any level and be endlessly impressed.
There is no better example of Bachelet's tendency to surpass all designations and expectations than his Côte de Nuits Villages. John Gilman was right: this is one of the best values anywhere.
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I love when I get a chance to offer Bachelet because of the unflagging quality. But every email comes with a caveat: There is never enough of this wine to go around.
When you give Bachelet's landholdings a close look, it's pretty staggering. His beloved Charmes-Chambertin is from 0.44ha; his Côte de Nuits is from a mere 0.37ha.
This small scale gives Bachelet an incredible amount of control over the little details. The domaine is a one-man show, starring Denis Bachelet. And among his dedicated following, I'm front row center. This man is making some of the most authentic, noteworthy wines in Burgundy, all out of a cellar not much bigger than a studio apartment.
As Gilman's quote above makes clear, this bottling over-delivers vintage after vintage. Bachelet sits up there with the likes of Roumier, Rousseau, and Mugneret-Gibourg as the most consistently excellent producers in Burgundy year in and year out, and the 2011 is no exception.
In the pure, elegant 2011 vintage, Côte de Nuits' pretty side comes out. There is all of Bachelet's signature subtle intensity, with a little of the rugged muscle of Corbeaux brought into harmony with a lovely focus and lift. On the surface, Côte de Nuits Villages is a humble appellation. However, in Bachelet's hands it's anything but: it's wine that demands a great amount of respect.
This Côte de Nuits is sourced from Brochon, a real insider's village just north of Gevrey. The vines are over 30 years old, with some dating from 1952, and even with their naturally low yields, triage here is ruthless.
For people looking to build a balanced, thoughtful cellar, Bachelet's Côte de Nuits is the wine of your dreams. It offers tremendous value, it ages well for 5 to 7 years. We're offering 4-packs for exactly that reason.
You know the deal with Bachelet by now, so I'll just leave you with the image of that studio-sized cellar. All six releases, from Côte de Nuits to Charmes, fit inside. And that's all there is.
To order, reply to offers@crushwineco.com or call the store at (212) 980-9463.
Ian McFadden
Director, Fine and Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Burghound: "A discreet touch of wood spice sets off the pretty aromas of wild dark berry, earth and underbrush hints. There is a suave and lush mouth feel to the cool, pure and lightly mineral-inflected medium-bodied flavors that are supported by remarkably fine grained tannins on the solidly persistent finish. A lovely example of the appellation."
John Gilman: "The parcel of vines for Denis Bachelet’s Côte de Nuits Villages also hails from the village of Brochon, and it is consistently one of the best values one can find for red Burgundy anywhere! The 2011 is another absolutely lovely bottle, offering up a deep and refined nose of dark berries, black cherries, grilled meat, dark soil tones, woodsmoke and just a touch of chocolate. On the palate the wine is fullish, pure and tangy, with a sappy core of fruit, a svelte personality, moderate tannins and a long, focused and bouncy finish. Give this lovely wine at least a few years to drop its tannins."