DOMAINE SYLVAIN PATAILLE MARSANNAY L'ANCESTRALE

Discover the mastery of Sylvain Pataille showcased in the Marsannay "l'Ancestrale" 2019, a prized Burgundy red crafted with natural methods, allowing the grapes to express themselves authentically.

This wine is a blend of grapes from the domain's oldest vines, aged between 60 and 80 years, sourced from Clos du Roy, Clémengeot, and Ouzeloy in the village of Marsannay. With whole cluster fermentation, extended macerations, minimal sulfur, and prolonged ageing for 24 months in one-third new barrels, Pataille's approach in the cellar emphasizes balance and integration of oak notes.

The Marsannay l'Ancestrale reveals a beautiful ruby-red hue and exudes aromas of black fruits, spices, and floral hints. The palate offers a balanced and persistent sip, with potential for further development with approximately 5 years of bottle ageing.

Terroir: Moderate to sleep slope, faces to the east. 290-meters elevation. Light pinkish gravelly grèzes litées soil that sits on White Oolite. Prestigious lieux-dits Clos du Roy, Clémengeot, Les Ouzeloy. One of the northernmost vineyards in the Côte-d'Or.

Viticulture: Certified organic

Vinification: 100% whole-cluster pressing, indigenous yeast fermentation, gentle extraction. Aged for 24 months in barrel (50% new oak), low sulfur additions only at bottling.

From Pataille's oldest vines in the lieux-dits of Clos du Roy, Clémengeot and Les Ouzeloy comes the 2017 Marsannay L'Ancestrale, a brilliant effort that unwinds in the glass with aromas of raspberries, plums and cherries mingled with hints of smoked meats, orange rind and rich soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, deep and multidimensional, with a concentrated core of fruit framed by a muscular chassis of powdery tannin, this will need and reward some bottle age. William Kelley