2023 Bachelet-Monnot Maranges La Fussiere Rouge 1er Cru, Burgundy

The 2023 Maranges La Fussières 1er Cru Rouge is blended with 30% whole bunch. This has an understated bouquet with light earthy red fruit with sous-bois and mineral scents. It opens succinctly in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with finely chiseled tannins, very poised, airy and transparent yet with real weight and presence on the finish.

92-94 points Neal Martin vinous.com

Domaine Bachelet-Monnot Maranges La Fussière Premier Cru from Burgundy is a vibrant, structured and finely detailed Pinot Noir that perfectly captures the character of this often-overlooked appellation at the southern end of the Côte de Beaune. Crafted by brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet, it is a wine of both energy and refinement, displaying the domaine’s signature touch — purity of fruit, subtle oak and a focus on texture and balance.

La Fussière is the largest and most renowned Premier Cru in Maranges, with steep, southeast-facing slopes and stony clay-limestone soils that yield wines of depth, freshness and minerality. The fruit is hand picked, sorted, and partially fermented with whole bunches to enhance aromatic lift and fine tannins. Fermentation proceeds with native yeasts, and the wine is aged in French oak barrels, roughly a quarter new, for about a year before bottling without fining or filtration.

In the glass it shows a luminous ruby colour. The aroma is complex and perfumed, offering red cherry, plum and wild strawberry layered with violet, spice and subtle earthy notes. On the palate it is medium bodied yet powerful, combining pure red fruit and savoury depth with a mineral backbone and silky tannins. The finish is long and elegant, reflecting both the strength of the vineyard and the finesse of the Bachelet-Monnot style.

This wine pairs beautifully with roast duck, game birds, mushroom risotto, or coq au vin. It also complements earthy dishes like truffle pasta or roasted beetroot salad. While enjoyable young for its vibrancy, it will evolve gracefully over 8 to 12 years, developing more complexity and softness with age.