Domaine Bruno Clair Marsannay Les Longeroies

Although there are no sites classified as Grand Cru or Premier Cru in the AOC Marsannay (Burgundy), there are some wines with the name of the vineyard, climat or lieu-dit. In fact, this is a denomination that until now has stayed in the background behind the most famous parts of Burgundy due to its poor soils. As a result, their wines are normally intended to be enjoyed young. However, people like Bruno Clair, a true vigneron, has the expertise needed to reinvent this area better than anyone and his Marsannay wines are very elegant and long-lasting. With more than 24 hectares of property spread over the best villages of the Cote d'Or, his respect for the terroir and the stylistic precision of his wines make him one of the best producers in Burgundy.

One of his most outstanding wines is Domaine Bruno Clair Marsannay Les Longeroies, a 70-year-old Pinot Noir red wine from 1.26 hectares of the oldest vines on the property. Made with fruit from six plots, divided equally between the upper and lower parts of the lieu-dit, it is organically cultivated and harvested by hand. In the winery, the grapes are partially destemmed and then fermented with native yeasts in wooden vats with daily pumping over for 14-21 days. The wine is then aged for 12 months in French oak barrels.

Rich, complex and with a great aging potential, Domaine Bruno Clair Marsannay Les Longeroies is a perfect picture of its terroir, elegant and long-living. A wine that although is not a Premier Cru, is likely to find a place among them soon.