Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Rouge 'En Clemengeots' 2020
Pataille's vines in this impressive terroir were planted in 1951, 1989 and 2006. It's a gently sloping, sunny vineyard on the northern border of Couchey with shallow soils rich in red clay and a type of limestone called Ostrea acuminata (after the sickle oyster). The fruit from the oldest vines (about half of the blend) ferments as whole bunches while the younger vine fruit is destemmed. The 2020 was raised for 24 months in mainly used oak and bottled unfiltered. It's a finer, prettier reflection of Marsannay than the more structured Clos de Roy and powerful Les Grasses Tetes.
A more wc perfume to this wine. Hmm, a little gas and extra intensity, the flavour of the stems is more apparent - there's more austerity here too but still in a good/interesting way. Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report.