Description
”Young Philippe Collotte is one of several new stars of Marsannay”‘ Robert Parker Jr The Wine Advocate
Created in 1987, the Marsannay Villages appellation is a relatively new one in Burgundy but an ancient and well respected source of fine wine. Located on the southern outskirts of Dijon at the northern end of the Côte de Nuits, Marsannay missed out when the first appellations were handed out in 1930. But it wasn’t because the terroir was deemed inferior. It was simply that there was very little Chardonnay or Pinot Noir planted.
The terroir of Marsannay is based on the same complex Jurassic limestone-based geology that runs the entire length of the Côte d’Or. But for the previous century, the area’s winemakers had been focussed on the growing population of Dijon with more commercial success with Aligoté and Gamay varieties.
The Collottes have been grape growers in Marsannay for four generations, but it wasn’t until 1981 that a young, 16 year-old Philippe Collotte bottled the first wine under the name of Domaine Collotte. He subsequently purchased some mature vineyards of about 40 years of age in both Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny, to further expand the domaine’s repertoire. In 2013 Philippe was joined by his daughter Isabelle, who had just completed her studies at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune. Whilst Isabelle focusses particularly on the production of the domaine’s white wines, there is no doubt that her addition to the team has helped refine the quality of the wines across the board.
Today Domaine Collotte farms 17ha of vines in Marsannay, Fixin, Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambolle-Musigny.
Today, after extensive geological surveys, an application has been submitted to INAO for the promotion of 14 Marsannay Lieu-Dits to Marsannay Premier Cru including this Clos de Jeu and 3 other signature vineyards of Domaine Collotte.
About this wine: From 40+ year-old vines in an outstanding site located just above the village and based on Crinoidal limestone, rich in fossilised starfish and sea urchins and the same geology as that which underlies the Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Crus of Charmes, Latricières, Griottes and Chapelle, as well as the entire hillside of the 1er Crus Clos Saint-Jacques and Lavaux Saint-Jacques. 2016 growing season delivered exceptional quality of fruit although minuscule yields due to frost so much to go around.
Super smart Pinot here.. depth of fruit, complexity and balance definitely points to Clos de Jeu’s future 1re Cru status. A fabulous vintage in 2016 – another x factor! Don’t miss this winner for quality and value. Can cellar for another 10 years if you can resist!
92 points, Jeb Dunnuck, May 2019 “Deeply colored, the 2016 Marsannay Le Clos de Jeu comes from softer limestone soils and vines averaging 50 years in age. Brought up in just 25% new French oak, it offers outstanding notes of both red and black fruits, forest floor, and crushed flowers. With a deep, medium-bodied, seamless texture, perfectly integrated acidity, and building tannins, yet with nothing out of place, it shows the purity and classical style of the vintage to a T. Give it a few years and enjoy over the following decade.”
RRP$78 Our Price $64.99
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