Bourgogne Aligoté Clos du Roy 2023 Sylvain Pataille | Burgundy

Sylvain Pataille 'sBourgogne Aligoté Clos du Roy stands out as a rare star within the wine estate, bringing unexpected nobility to this often underestimated grape variety. Located in Marsannay, Côte de Nuits, the historic Clos du Roy parcel is a sloping, draining terroir with limestone and sandstone soils, atypical in Burgundy. Here,Aligoté delivers exemplary freshness and purity. The Sylvain Pataille wine estate cultivates its parcels biodynamically, and harvests exclusively by hand, without chemical inputs. The grapes are slowly pressed in whole bunches using gentle vertical pressing, then fermented naturally with indigenous yeasts. Ageing for 15 to 18 months in barrels, of which around 30% are new, gives the wine depth without masking the purity of the fruit or its freshness.

Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin : Sylvain Pataille 's Bourgogne Aligoté Clos du Roy is a brilliant, masterful interpretation of this grape variety, both vibrant and structured. Aligoté, a historic grape variety often overshadowed by Chardonnay, finds here a rare and exceptional expression unlike any other Bourgogne Aligoté: it captures attention with its precision and elegance. Its mineral tension and depth, typical of Marsannay terroirs, suggest ageing potential.

The nose of this Clos du Roy is immediately seductive, with fresh aromas of lemon and grapefruit, complemented by delicate white flowers. A touch of flinty minerality subtly emerges, reinforcing the terroir dimension. Softer nuances of dried fruit appear in the background, adding complexity and charm.

On the palate, the wine surprises with its assertive liveliness and balance, where acidity brilliantly structures an ample texture. The fruit reveals itself with precision, between fresh citrus, suave white peach, fresh almond and wet stone. The finish finely installs a noble salinity and bitterness that lengthens the wine and accentuates its refined character.