2018 Domaine Sylvaine Pataille Marsannay L'Ancestrale (750ml)

"Sylvain Pataille is a consulting enologist to some of the biggest names in the Côte d'Or. With his brother Laurent he now farms 15 ha of vineyards located exclusively in Marsannay...I have made this observation before but there is perhaps no one in the Côte de Nuits, with the possible exception of Cyril Audoin, that does more with less in terms of producing top quality wines from less prestigious appellations. If you aren't familiar with the Pataille wines, then I strongly suggest that you make their acquaintance." - Allen Meadows (Burghound)

The Marsannay L'Ancestrale comes from three best parcels that are vinified separately. The vines are 60–80 years old and 100% whole cluster are used. It sees 25% new oak, racked but put back into older barrels.

"Once again there is little to discern on what appears to be a ripe nose other than pungent reduction. The medium weight flavors possess evident volume, power and mid-palate concentration as the old vines are in evidence, all while displaying a taut muscularity on the stony and beautifully persistent finish where a touch of bitter cherry pit character arises. This terrific effort is well-balanced but quite serious and will also require at least a few years of bottle age first." 91-93 points / Sweet Spot Outstanding - Allen Meadows (Burghound, January 2020)

"The 2018 Marsannay "L'Ancestrale," which had been racked a week earlier, contains 100% whole-bunch fruit. As I have come to expect from this cuvée, it has a really lovely bouquet, offering beautifully defined red plum and wild strawberry fruit and subtle sous-bois/autumn leaf notes in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and a fine bead of acidity. Cohesive and quite fleshy relative to the prior vintage, with a welcome dash of white pepper on the prolonged finish. Superb." 91-93 points - Neal Martin (Vinous, November 2019)