2023 Sylvain Pataille - Marsannay Longerois (750ml) [PRE ARRIVAL]

Sylvain Pataille founded his domaine in Marsannay in 1999, starting with a single hectare and building it into fifteen biodynamically farmed hectares that now anchor the region's reputation. Trained in oenology before turning fully to winemaking, Pataille has been widely credited with elevating Marsannay from a source of easygoing, everyday wines into an appellation capable of real seriousness, particularly with Pinot Noir and Aligoté. Growers across the region have been lobbying for premier cru recognition for its top sites, Les Longeroies among them, and Pataille's work has done much to build the case.

Les Longeroies is a large vineyard stretching roughly a kilometer north to south, divided into three parcels, with Pataille's holding located in Bas des Longeroies, widely considered the section best suited to red wine. The site sits at 275 meters on a moderate southeast facing slope, where the geology includes white oolite and hard pink limestone near the top, with deeper, gravelly soil lower down the slope. Vines here range from about 20 to 70 years old, and the wine is made with whole cluster fermentation, aged in oak for fifteen to eighteen months to build structure without masking the site's mineral character.

The 2023 shows dark cherry and plum fruit with a touch of dried fruit intensity, framed by firm, somewhat rustic tannins and a savory edge toward the finish. It's a powerful, structured wine built for the cellar, with the peppery lift of the stems giving real energy throughout. This is a strong match for braised short ribs, roasted venison, or a hearty cassoulet.