Marsannay 2023
A recent appellation, Marsannay in the Côte de Nuits produces fantastic red wines as well as
a very significant production of white wines.
Origin
The vineyard of "The Golden Gate of the Côte de Nuits" covers the towns of Chenove, Marsannay-la-Côte and Couchey. This AOC is based on soils of great complexity of clay-limestone Middle Jurassic type.
The grapes of this cuvée come exclusively from the climate "La Bretignière" located in the town of Couchey a few hundred meters from the Fixin appellation. This small plot is located at the bottom of the hill with a full-east exposure and on a predominantly limestone soil.
There are traces of the name "La Bretignière" (from the old French Breton / Brecton = hawk) in the 1700s, it refers to the presence of a falconry where birds of prey were raised for hunting. It was attached to a manor house.
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: mostly limestone.
Orientation: East
Surface area under vine: 0.5947 ha
Pruning: Cordon de Royat system
Yield: 52 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 49 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 14 September 2023.
The grapes were handpicked. They were sorted a first time in the vineyard and again on the sorting table when they arrived at the winery.
At the winery: the grapes were 100% destemmed but not crushed and were gravity-fed into tanks. Maceration of 17 days of which 2 days cold (12 ° C): Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 2 punchings of the cap.
Ageing
Maturation: aged on the lees for 18 months with no racking using a proportion of 42% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time for very delicate oaking.
Bottling
Bottling: by gravity on March 25, 2025, wine fined with bentonite, very light lenticular filtration.
Number of bottles: 3,789 bottles & 200 magnums.
Vintage
Fruity and generous
The 2023 vintage experienced unpredictable weather conditions, making work in the vineyards essential for grape quality. Harvesting began in early September under intense heat with the Chardonnays to avoid over-ripening, followed by the reds. The whites will spend two winters in the cellar, while the Pinot Noirs will have undergone short ageing to preserve the fruity aromas. A vintage that brings out the best in each terroir, offering wines that are bright and delicious.
Ageing potential: from 6 to 9 years.
Tasting notes
Dark ruby, black cherry color. The nose is greedy, almost sanguine, with an intense concentration of ripe black fruits, prunes and blackcurrants, enhanced by subtle toasty notes. The palate is velvety with silky tannins and reveals a juicy, delicately woody finish.
