Domaine Vincent Bachelet - "La Fussière" Maranges Premier Cru Rouge 2024

Domaine Vincent Bachelet — established in 2007 — currently consists of 17 hectares of vineyards in ten different appellations in the Côte de Beaune and Gevrey-Chambertin. A native of Dezize-lès-Maranges, Vincent is a fourth-generation winegrower. His traditional practices and expertise were acquired while working alongside his two brothers, Jean-François and Jean-Louis, for their father Bernard at Domaine Bernard Bachelet. The three brothers ran the family estate until the mid-2000's, when they divided the estate's 100 hectares between them.

Vincent spent the next decade and a half, not only crafting stellar wines under his new label, but passing on his knowledge and techniques to his children, Aurore and Étienne. As the 2020s rolled around, Vincent divided his vineyards between them with Aurore starting her eponymous domaine and Étienne taking the reins over from his father. Étienne continues the restoration Vincent began on the property, including the 18th century wine cave and cellars. The family's dedication to history and tradition, as well as its natural farming practices, shine through in the estate’s wines. They are true farmer's wines, exhibiting unbelievable purity and authenticity.

Vincent's Maranges Premier Cru La Fussière comes from 60 year old Pinot Noir vines grown on clay-limestone and gravel soils. The grapes are hand-harvested and sorted, completely destemmed and after temperature-controlled fermentation are aged for 18 months in a mix of new and old French oak barrels. In the glass the wine shows a brilliant mid-ruby color. The nose is wonderfully expressive with aromas of pomegranate, cranberry, sour red cherry, fresh blackberry, violets and savory underbrush. On the palate, the wine is firmly structured with a sturdy frame of fine-grained, svelte tannins and refreshing acidity that provide the bones to deliver great depth of flavor and an intense mineral drive on the long, persistent finish. The longer the wine stays in the glass, the more complex and mesmerizing it becomes! You can drink now, though this Maranges Premier Cru will continue to age beautifully for the next 5 years. Enjoy with an assortment of soft or washed-rind cheeses, seared duck breast or grilled lamb chops.