Domaine Bruno Clair : Marsannay Village "La Charme aux Prêtres" 2023

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Marsannay Village "La Charme aux Prêtres" 2023 from Domaine Bruno Clair

Tasting

Appearance
The colour reveals a pale gold hue, enhanced by delicate green highlights.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with citrus notes, blending lemon and orange zest, accompanied by white flowers. Subtle touches of wild sloe, fresh apricot and rock salt enrich this fragrant nose, which carries a light smoky nuance.

Palate
The attack on the palate is lively and saline. Beautifully balanced, the palate reveals a fine mineral tension wrapped in a rich, unctuous texture. The citrus flavours linger through to a long, energetic and mouth-watering finish.

Food and Wine Pairing

This white wine is particularly enjoyable as an aperitif or alongside hot starters. It pairs beautifully with seafood, such as scallops or ceviche, as well as with poultry served in a creamy mushroom sauce. Soft-rind cheeses or a young Comté will also highlight its lovely salinity.

Serving and Cellaring

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve this wine at a temperature between 11 and 12°C. This wine has fine ageing potential and can be enjoyed until around 2033.

The Tension and Minerality of a Marsannay White Wine

The Estate

Founded in 1979, Domaine Bruno Clair is located in Marsannay-la-Côte, at the heart of the Burgundy wine region. Heir to a rich family heritage established in the early twentieth century, the estate today spans approximately 27 hectares. Currently run by Bruno Clair, together with his sons Edouard and Arthur, the property stands out for its demanding, soil-respectful approach to viticulture. Massale selection, the discontinuation of herbicides and the use of organic amendments illustrate this family of winegrowers' commitment to revealing the purity and singularity of each terroir.

The Vineyard

The "La Charme aux Prêtres" lieu-dit is located on the heights of the Marsannay appellation, at an altitude of around 300 metres. Facing south-east, this plot benefits from ideal morning sunlight that preserves the freshness of the grapes. The vines, around forty years old, thrive on clay-limestone soil. The subsoil is composed of Comblanchien limestone, crinoidal limestone and Ostrea marl, giving the grapes a pronounced saline character. The estate favours precision viticulture, incorporating cover crops and Guyot-Poussard pruning to ensure the longevity of the vines.

The Vintage

The year 2023 proves highly promising for this terroir. Climatic conditions allowed for an ideal balance between beautiful grape ripeness and preserved tension, resulting in grapes with great energy and vibrant minerality.

Winemaking and Ageing

Vinification of the Marsannay Village "La Charme aux Prêtres" 2023 begins in stainless steel tanks, with no initial addition of sulphur. Fermentation is then completed in oak barrels or foudres, with a maximum of 20% new oak. The wine undergoes ageing on fine lees for 16 to 18 months, without stirring (bâtonnage), in order to preserve the full tension and mineral expression of the limestone terroir.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay