Marc de Bourgogne Grand Cru Distillerie Mazy

The Marc de Bourgogne Le Grand from Distillerie Mazy is the absolute pinnacle of the Marc range, an exceptional eau de vie born from the marcs of the greatest vineyards of Côte de Nuits, a spirituous that carries the nobility of five of Burgundy's most illustrious Grand Crus. Impressive in its balance and roundness, Le Grand demonstrates that Burgundian marc, in the hands of a demanding and passionate distiller, can rival the greatest spirits of France.

Raw material and its origin

Le Grand is elaborated exclusively from 100% destemmed Pinot Noir marcs, sourced from a precise and consistent blend of five Grand Crus from Côte de Nuits: Chambertin (26%), Mazis-Chambertin (21%), Charmes-Chambertin (20%), Clos de Bèze (20%) and Bonnes Mares (13%). These proportions, recorded in the ultra-detailed technical sheet accompanying each cuvée, are no accident: they reflect the trusted partnerships Julie Ay has built with renowned partner domaines, who supply their marcs to her within the shortest possible timeframe after pressing to preserve all the aromatic freshness of the raw material. The marc comes from vinification, the stem, pips and grape skins from these legendary terroirs whose names resonate in the greatest cellars of the world. Distilled domaine by domaine and climat by climat, never mixing origins before final assembly, Le Grand benefits from total traceability and transparency: each bottle is numbered.

Distillation and ageing

Distillation is conducted at Distillerie Mazy according to the artisanal methods that are the house's signature, with rigorous selection of the heart of the run by tasting. The marc leaves the still at around 65% vol., before being rectified drop by drop with low-mineral water to preserve the aromatic purity of the whole. Ageing, lasting 35 to 47 months, is conducted in French oak casks of small capacity, new feuillettes of 114 litres from tonnelleries Montgillard and Rousseau, and pièces of 228 litres from tonnelleries Seguin Moreau and Remond that previously held Burgundy white wine, with a particularly long heating that contributes to enriching and complexifying the marc's aromatic palette without ever weighing it down. Distillation and ageing are conducted separately for each domaine and each climat, guaranteeing maximum expression and traceability.

Tasting profile

The colour is amber with copper highlights, luminous and warm. The nose is of striking expressiveness and elegance: floral notes of violet and rose assert themselves immediately with refinement, complemented by spiced aromas, a touch of cigar leaf and a hint of ripe pineapple that brings an unexpected and seductive exotic note. With aeration, nuances of ripe fruits and marmalade enrich this bouquet of great complexity. On the palate, Le Grand is impressive in its balance and roundness. The often rough character of young marcs is here completely silky, replaced by a silken and profound structure. The attack is fine and precise, with aromas of small tart fruits and marmalade, the substance unfolds with amplitude and elegance, and the finish is long, persistent and of great aromatic harmony. A spirituous for contemplation, to be served in a large warmed brandy balloon that reveals its complexity progressively.

The distillery

Founded in 2016 by Julie Ay in Marsannay-la-Côte, on the Route des Grands Crus de Bourgogne, Distillerie Mazy was born from the passion of a biochemist by training for Burgundy's terroir and the discovery of an old liqueur recipe in the family library of her husband's domaine in Gigondas. Julie Ay has built, step by step, an artisanal distillery of remarkable rigour and precision, each cuvée accompanied by an ultra-detailed technical sheet, supplier domaines, proportions of varieties and climates, types of casks, reflecting total transparency and a rigour that defines this house's singularity. The distillation season runs from September to March, with visits possible by appointment.

Tasting and pairings

Le Grand is traditionally enjoyed as a digestif, in a large warmed brandy balloon cradled in the palm of the hand to progressively release the complexity of its aromas. It will pair beautifully with an intense square of dark chocolate, a hard aged cheese like old Comté, or, according to the most authentic Burgundian tradition, in a still-warm coffee cup over poorly melted sugar. It can also accompany, surprisingly and deliciously, fine oysters or beef tartare seasoned with care, an unexpected pairing that the most curious wine lovers will appreciate at its true value.