Phillipe Gavignet Nuits Saint Georges Les Argillats 2010

Philippe Gavignet Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Argillats 2010 is a 750ml Burgundy Pinot Noir from one of Nuits-Saint-Georges' highest-altitude vineyard sites, bottled at approximately 13% ABV. Scored 91/100 by critics, this village-level cuvée punches above its classification thanks to the distinctive terroir of the Argillats lieu-dit, which sits at the forest line deep in the valley west of the village.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy, France  |  Vintage: 2010  |  Producer: Domaine Philippe Gavignet

Production & Heritage

Domaine Philippe Gavignet is a family estate based in the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy's Côte de Nuits. Les Argillats occupies a cooler, elevated position near the treeline, with soils combining brown limestone and silt—conditions that yield Pinot Noir with notable definition and freshness rather than sheer power. The wines are aged in a mix of new and older French oak barrels, with new oak capped at one-third of the total, and are bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve the vineyard's natural expression.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with bramble and blackcurrant fruit before moving into earthy, forest-floor undertones. Subtle hints of sweet cherry and a stony mineral edge emerge as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The palate is silky smooth on entry, with bright strawberry and cherry flavors building across the mid-palate. Red and black fruit intertwine with a charming, fine-grained structure, while polished tannins carry the wine through to a focused, vibrant peak. Balanced acidity provides real freshness and momentum.

Finish: The finish is long and persistent, with stony mineral notes and a subtle thread of licorice lingering well after each sip. The tannins resolve cleanly, leaving an impression of refined structure rather than weight.

How to Drink Les Argillats 2010

At over a decade of age, this wine is best served neat in a large-bowled Burgundy glass at 60–64°F (16–18°C); a brief decant of 30 minutes will help it unfurl fully. While red Burgundy of this caliber is typically enjoyed on its own or with food, it can also anchor a refined wine-based cocktail. A classic Burgundian Kir uses still red wine with a touch of crème de cassis, complementing the wine's own dark-fruit character. A chilled Pinot Noir Sangria built around stone fruit and citrus would highlight the cherry and strawberry core. A simple wine spritzer with sparkling water works for casual warm-weather drinking, though purists will prefer it straight.

Best For

• Gifting a Burgundy enthusiast seeking aged village-level Nuits-Saint-Georges
• Pairing with a special anniversary or birthday dinner
• Adding a mature Côte de Nuits selection to a personal cellar
• Exploring high-altitude terroir from a lesser-known but respected Nuits domaine

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Les Argillats 2010 taste like? It delivers silky red and black fruit—strawberry, cherry, blackcurrant—framed by polished tannins, a stony mineral backbone, and a finish accented by licorice. The overall impression is one of finesse and freshness rather than heavy extraction.

How does Les Argillats compare to Domaine Henri Gouges Nuits-Saint-Georges? Both are estate-bottled Nuits-Saint-Georges Pinot Noirs, but Gouges is one of the appellation's most storied and widely distributed names, often commanding a higher price. Gavignet's Les Argillats, sourced from a higher-altitude, cooler site with restrained oak use and unfined/unfiltered bottling, tends toward a lighter, more mineral-driven style at a more accessible price tier.

Is Les Argillats 2010 good for sipping neat? Yes—this is primarily a wine for the table or contemplative neat drinking, and at over a decade old the tannins have softened into a smooth, integrated texture that rewards slow sipping.

Where is Les Argillats made? It is produced by Domaine Philippe Gavignet in the commune of Nuits-Saint-Georges, located in the Côte de Nuits sub-region of Burgundy, France. The Argillats vineyard itself sits at one of the commune's highest points, near the forest edge west of the village.

What foods pair well with Les Argillats 2010? Roast duck breast, whose richness complements the wine's silky fruit; coq au vin, a classic Burgundian match; grilled lamb chops with herbs de Provence, which echo the earthy undertones; aged Époisses or Comté cheese, whose savory depth mirrors the wine's mineral finish; and wild mushroom risotto, reinforcing the forest-floor aromatics.

What sizes does Les Argillats come in? The standard bottling is 750ml, which is the most widely available format for this cuvée.

Is Les Argillats 2010 worth the price? It positions as a village-level Nuits-Saint-Georges, which places it below Premier and Grand Cru pricing but above generic Bourgogne rouge. Given its 91-point critical score, high-altitude terroir, and over a decade of bottle age, it represents strong value within the Côte de Nuits landscape, especially for drinkers seeking mature Burgundy without Premier Cru expense.

Why Les Argillats 2010?

The Argillats vineyard's elevated, cool-climate position is the defining differentiator here, producing a style of Nuits-Saint-Georges that emphasizes mineral precision and aromatic lift over the dense, tannic power the commune is sometimes known for. Gavignet's decision to limit new oak to one-third and bottle without fining or filtration allows that terroir signature to come through intact. A 91-point score from critics confirms the quality, while the 2010 vintage—widely regarded as a strong year across Burgundy—has given the wine ample time to develop secondary complexity. For anyone seeking authentic, terroir-driven Côte de Nuits Pinot Noir with genuine bottle age, this is a compelling and underappreciated option.