Maranges rouge 1er cru Clos Roussots 2023 Domaine Bertrand Bachelet

The Maranges 1er Cru Les Clos Roussots Rouge 2023 from Domaine Bertrand Bachelet is the most powerful and ambitious Premier Cru from the domaine in this southern appellation, sourced from the second largest climat in Maranges, spread across the communes of Cheilly-lès-Maranges and Sampigny-lès-Maranges. The Les Clos Roussots climat benefits from a south-facing exposure that yields wines that are at once powerful and bright, fruited with toasted and grilled notes on opening, whose structure carries the palate beautifully with tannins that elegantly underscore the finish.

Terroir and vineyard

Les Clos Roussots is the second largest Premier Cru of the Maranges appellation, spread across the communes of Cheilly-lès-Maranges and Sampigny-lès-Maranges. This Premier Cru comes from the domaine's oldest Premier Cru vines, planted on brown argilo-calcareous and marly soils with full south exposure at an altitude between 200 and 400 metres. This southern exposure is decisive: it ensures the vines maximum sunlight and slow, harmonious ripening of Pinot Noir, while benefiting from the cool nights at altitude that preserve natural acidity and aromatic precision in the fruit. Pinot Noir, 100 per cent, is farmed with the rigour and discipline that have characterised Bertrand Bachelet since he took over the domaine in 2011. Grapes are rigorously sorted, fully or partially destemmed depending on the cuvée and vintage profile. Fermentation lasts around three weeks, with regular temperature checks and non-interventionist vinification. Ageing for 16 months in oak barrels, 20 per cent new, then 8 months in inox tank.

Tasting profile

The robe is a beautiful intense brilliant red with purple reflections. The nose offers a subtle harmony between red and dark fruits, spice and vanilla: notes of raspberry, cherry, blackcurrant and bergamot open with frankness and generosity, accompanied by a light toasted and grilled touch that develops on aeration. In the 2023 vintage, the natural freshness preserved in the Côte de Beaune brings a vivacity and aromatic precision that is particularly well defined. The palate is at once solid and fresh, harmonious and assertive, with a well-present but silky tannin structure that elegantly underscores a frank and persistent finish. A fleshy, ample and firm cru, with delicate aromas of small red fruits and undergrowth. Best enjoyed in five to eight years to reveal its full complexity.

The domaine

Bertrand Bachelet, a talented vigneron of the Côte de Beaune, took over his father Jean-Louis's family domaine in 2011, thus representing the fourth generation. The domaine extends over 13 hectares spread between Maranges and Pommard. New oak is used sparingly and vinification is conducted gently and respectfully, preserving both the character of the grape and the expression of terroir. With his new winery, he has taken a significant step forward in vinification, offering wines with remarkable terroir expression. Bertrand Bachelet is rightly considered a rising star of Burgundy.

Food pairings

This Maranges 1er Cru Les Clos Roussots will pair beautifully with roasted veal with sweet potatoes, braised beef, roasted duck, wild boar stew, rack of lamb with Provençal herbs, or aged cheese such as Époisses or Comté. Served between 14 and 16 °C with light decanting recommended, it will reveal the full fruited power, assertive structure and natural elegance of the most solid and most ambitious Premier Cru of Maranges.