2012 Domaine Sylvain Pataille, Marsannay AC Rouge, red Burgundy, France.
This fantastic Marsannay is a completely new discovery for me, Sylvain Pataille looks set to be a star in Marsannay and his wines are super delicious. I tasted through three reds and one white, everything he does comes from Marsannay and are all organic, and I believe biodynamic, all of the wines were highly impressive, but especially his base Marsannay AC (Pinot Noir), which I thought was stunning. Pataille makes his wines with almost no sulphur and follows in the style of Philippe Pacalet, making natural wines in Burgundy. These red Marsannay wines lovely ruby/garnet hued, very pretty in the glass and are full of flavor, energy and are very pure, time will tell how they age, but I must say, it would be hard not to drink these superb Pinots young and fresh, they are delightful and richly layered showing great already with good fruit density, acidity, minerality and subtle earthy spices. The 2012 Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Rouge starts with blackberry, cherry, strawberry and plum fruits, it really reminds me at this stage of a Jean Foillard Morgon, and that is a not a bad thing at all, then there is wet stones, truffle and cedar spice with cinnamon, nutmeg, dusty lavender and walnut oil in the background. Things unwind with air and tangy currant, blueberry and rose petals show through along with a lift of tea spice and hint of savory elements and saline. This is a fine offering and stylish wine, I’m grateful for Veritas Imports for sampling me on this exciting new producer, be sure to keep an eye out for Sylvain Pataille, and his gorgeous lineup of Marsannay Burgundy.
($45 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive