Marsannay 2009, Bruno Clair

All too often, poor little Marsannay at the northern tip of the Côte de Nuits is ignored. Not at the Domaine Bruno Clair, which despite its huge 23 hectares of vineyards, puts a lot of effort into producing Marsannay because that is where the domaine is located. Tasted at the domaine in April 2011, Philippe Brun the domaine's long-standing wine-maker told us that they make around 4,000 bottles per hectare, with two vines producing about a litre of wine. This 2009 starts on a raspberry note with an edge of red currant and wafts of vanilla. Good ripeness, pleasant, savoury tannins. Classic pinot from an unsung appellation. Ripe years like 2009 are perfect for the northerly appellations of Marsannay and Fixin. Photo shows Burgoblog contributor and renowned Brunello/Volnay taster behaving in what is known as a "Marsannayed" fashion (listening to the sound of empty bottles) at the Beaune restaurant Ma Cuisine.