2024 Bachelet-Monnot Maranges Clos de la Boutiere 1er Cru, Burgundy

The 2024 Maranges Clos de la Boutière 1er Cru comes from a parcel of 90+ year-old vines from a very old massale selection. This has an open, airy bouquet of shimmering red fruit, plenty of vigour and perhaps the one cuvée that is a little Côte de Nuits in style. The palate is medium-bodied with pliant tannins. Finely structured, a "cool" Maranges that perhaps just needs a tad more complexity to manifest on the finish. But still, this is a classy Maranges that should give over a decade of drinking leasure like La Fussière.

91-93 points, Neal Martin, Vinous

One of the lowest yields at 15 hl/ha. Slightly the deepest purple of the reds, though the bouquet is less immediately expressive than Fussière. Cherry kernels, a mix of red and black, more tannins from the clay in the soil. A solid wine with excellent ageing potential. Drink from 2029-2034.

88-91 points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

Brothers Marc and Alexandre Bachelet have helped turn Maranges from Burgundy’s quiet southern outpost into seriously desirable territory. Working from their domaine in Dezize-lès-Maranges, they farm meticulously and favour a restrained approach in the cellar, allowing individual vineyards to do the talking. Clos de la Boutière is a Premier Cru with a distinctly savoury personality, combining the structure of Maranges with the perfume and finesse that have become signatures of Bachelet-Monnot.

The 2024 growing season was cool, wet and notoriously demanding, with low yields across Burgundy. For growers prepared to put in the work, the vintage produced fragrant, energetic wines with excellent definition. Clos de la Boutière’s clay-limestone soils give the wine firmness and earthy depth, while the cooler year brings lovely red-fruited brightness and tension.

Bright ruby in the glass, the nose opens with Morello cherry, cranberry and wild raspberry alongside violet, blood orange and dried thyme. With air come black tea, clove, pepper and damp earth. The palate is lively and beautifully proportioned, with crunchy cherry and raspberry carried by bright acidity and fine, slightly chalky tannins. Dried herbs and gentle spice build through the middle before a long, savoury finish of cherry skin, tea leaf and stone.

Give this crispy duck with puy lentils, pork tenderloin with mustard and mushrooms, roast quail, coq au vin or a bubbling mushroom and Gruyère tart. Our pick is the pork caramelised edges, Dijon and earthy mushrooms against bright, savoury Maranges is a combination capable of making the second bottle seem entirely reasonable.

Cellaring: Drink from 2027 to 2037.