When the N6 turns round the Mont-Rachet hill, you come to the village of Gamay, which sits at the bottom of the hill. Its vines are all classed as St. Aubin. Further up the N6, you find the village of Saint-Aubin on your right.

Due to high levels of quality and fair prices, this was the place to buy a poor man’s Puligny-Montrachet. However, price levels have been under the rise during the past decades, and have doubled since our first visit. It is important to remember that the soil structure is different here, since we are dealing with two different hills, one on either side of the village of Gamay. The wines from the Mont-Rachet slope make up our favorites from this appellation, while the wines from Montagne du Ban above St. Aubin have less character.

Vineyard holdings of Domaine Thomas et filles include Chassagne-Montrachet les Chenevottes (PC, blanc), Meursault Blagny La Jeunelotte (PC, blanc), Puligny-Montrachet la Garenne (PC, blanc), Saint Aubin les Champlot (PC, blanc) – la Chateniére (PC, blanc), - Clos du Pitangeret (PC, blanc), – les Combes (PC, blanc), les Murges des Dents de Chien (PC, blanc), - Frionnes (PC, blanc), Saint Aubin blanc PC, Village Puligny-Montrachet (blanc) and Saint Aubin (blanc) and Bourgogne Chardonnay, totaling 12 ha.

The domaine was created by Gérard’s father after the last war. Gérard, born in 1951, took over from his father in 1982. His daugters Isabelle and Anne joined him in 1997 and 2000, respectively. Viticulture is traditional and harvesting is by hand. The domaine has stopped production of reds aiming at competing with the more famous whites of Chassagne. All whites are barrel-fermented with some 25% of casks renewed annually. All are aged for 10 months in casks before bottling.

In conclusion, “les vins produits ont gagné en finesse et complexité. Un source sûre pour de beaux vins blanc à prix attractifs”.Our pick from this dynamic domaine are the 1^er Cru Les Murges des Dents de Chien which has a crisp mineral character balanced by ripe fruit and la Chateniére which has a more rich and round character. This domaine also delivers a great Chassagne Montrachet 1er Cru Les Chenevottes. We always look forward to our annual visit and tastings with Isabelle, the enthusiasm and good spirits of whom we very much appreciate.