Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Le Chapitre

Vintage: 2022

Origin: Burgundy, France

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Alcohol: 12.5%

Despite being one of the most impressive chalky sites in the area, Le Chapitre was actually left out of the Marsannay appellation until 2019. Sylvain Pataille works with a tiny one-hectare plot here, blending fruit from vines that are 25, 40, and 70 years old. Thanks to that brilliant chalky terroir, he crafts a Pinot Noir with serious intensity and precision. It packs more structure and muscle than many of his other local bottles, making it a fantastic candidate for tucking away in the cellar for four or five years so it can properly open up and blossom.

Pour a glass, and you will find a medium to full-bodied red with a dense, silky texture and a distinct mineral backbone. It kicks off with fresh wild berries, plums, and violets, before revealing hints of dark chocolate, fine spices, and a zesty twist of orange rind. The finish is remarkably long and pure, supported by elegant powdery tannins and a lovely savoury edge. It is a deeply honest and beautifully made wine that completely shines alongside roasted duck, tender veal, or a deeply savoury, umami-rich vegetable dish.