2024 Bachelet-Monnot Maranges 1er Cru Les Clos Roussots, Burgundy

The 2024 Maranges Clos Rousseau 1er Cru comes from deep clayey soils. Raspberry, wild strawberry and wild hedgerow intermingle on the nose, well defined though perhaps without the vibrancy of the La Fussières. The palate is taut and linear, a bit more backbone at the back end of this Maranges suggesting that it will benefit from a couple of years in bottle. Very promising.

91-93 points, Neal Martin, Vinous

One young vine plot and one old vine, Marc likes the blend. A rich concentrated purple. The bouquet is a little quieter than the Maranges, but clearly has plenty in reserve. Because this wine can be tannic, they decided to go short in cuvaison, just 7-8 days. The balance has worked very well here with a fluidity of red berry fruit extending the finish beyond the tannins which are relatively refined. Drink from 2028-2032.

89-91 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

Brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet have transformed Bachelet-Monnot into one of the Côte de Beaune’s most keenly followed domaines. Based in Dezize-lès-Maranges, they combine meticulous vineyard work with sensitive, restrained winemaking, producing wines with wonderful clarity and energy. Les Clos Roussots is a Premier Cru on the slopes of Maranges, the Côte de Beaune’s southernmost appellation, where the brothers have helped show just how serious these once-overlooked vineyards can be.

The 2024 vintage was a demanding one, with cool, wet conditions and dramatically reduced yields making careful vineyard work essential. Maranges’ sloping clay-limestone vineyards give naturally savoury, structured wines, and Les Clos Roussots brings an extra degree of depth and concentration. In the Bachelets’ hands, that structure is balanced by perfume and freshness rather than sheer weight.

Bright ruby with a deeper crimson core, the nose opens with Morello cherry, wild raspberry and red plum before violet, dried thyme and blood orange emerge. With air come black tea, clove, forest floor and a touch of iron-rich earth. The palate is beautifully shaped, with juicy red fruit framed by fine, chalky tannins and lively acidity. Cherry skin, herbs and earthy spice gather through the middle before a long, savoury finish with a cool mineral note.

Give this roast duck with cherries, pork belly with fennel, pigeon with lentils, coq au vin or a wild mushroom and Comté tart. Our pick is the pigeon, rosy meat, crisp skin and earthy lentils against the wine’s cherry, herbs and savoury bite is exactly the sort of lunch that makes returning to work seem wildly optimistic.

Cellaring: Drink from 2027 to 2038.