Marsannay La Montagne 2023 Sylvain Pataille | Burgundy

Sylvain Pataille 'sMarsannay La Montagne is one of the wine estate's most evocative cuvées, where the expression of Burgundy Pinot Noir is magnified by the skill of a highly talented artisan-winemaker. Cultivated at an altitude of around 300 meters on the upper southern slopes of Marsannay, in the Côte de Nuits, this perfectly exposed parcel lies on shallow, stony soils of oolitic limestone. The half-century-old vines benefit from sunshine ideally tempered by altitude, producing remarkably well-balanced juices. A fervent advocate of viticulture that respects nature, Domaine Sylvain Pataille harvests exclusively by hand, and applies a minimalist approach in the cellar. Fermentation takes place in concrete or stainless steel vats, followed by 12 months' ageing in old barrels before a final 6 months' ageing in vats to preserve the finesse of the terroir.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Sylvain Pataille 's Marsannay La Montagne has the mysterious freshness and restrained structure of a true Burgundy of the highest order. This wine finds its place in the northern landscape of the Côte de Nuits, with an elegance that is both joyful and restrained, promising a fine evolution in the cellar without losing its immediate charm.

On the nose, the wine reveals a beautiful maturity, with dense, captivating notes of juicy red and black fruits, carried by a background complexity evoking damp undergrowth. A framework of sweet spices adds depth to this refined aromatic palette.

On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, with a beautiful pulpy body that blossoms with balance over the fine-tuned tension of a fine tannic structure. Magnificent notes of ripe black fruit, dried flowers and finely wooded spices. The superb length on the palate reveals a persistent background of humus and licorice. A very fine Côte de Nuits wine.