The Bachelet aim has always been to craft finer, more aromatic reds from the Côte’s southern reaches, and this limestone-rich site has helped further this aim. 30% whole bunches helps as well. In addition to the reviews below, Jasper Morris opines: “If you don’t know or don’t rate Maranges, this wine is the wake-up call.” Hear, hear! A gorgeous wine that in today’s Burgundy—and bear in mind that this is Burgundy 1er Cru—represents brilliant value! Bibendum

ABOUT THE PRODUCER: This relatively new domaine, in the beautiful hilltop village of Dezize-lès-Maranges was established in 2005 by brothers Marc and Alexandre who come from vigneron stock on both sides of the family. On the Bachelet side there are connections to the Bouzereau and Morey clans, the latter being the source of their excellent Meursault Clos du Cromin. To begin with they rented the vines of a domaine basid in Puligny, but this was sold to Faiveley in 2008 - albeit with the brother's contract in place to farm the vines. In 2010 an agreement was reached by which they were bought out of this contract, but were able to purchase some of the vineyards concerned: notably a tiny plot of of Bâtard-Montrachet. Finally in 2011, the domaine reached its current 23ha when their father handed on his holdings. In a few instances wines are from grapes bought from domaines that they have farmed themselves. The white grapes are crushed, pressed for three hours, with the juice then fermented without settling. Since starting out, Marc and Alexandre have cut down the proportion of new oak from 35 per cent to an average of 25, varying from 10 per cent for generic Bourgogne Blanc up to one-third for the grand cru; they have also stopped using less-stirring as a technique. The white wines (two-thirds of the production) spend one year in 350-litre barrels then 6-8 months in tank on their lees. These are energetic wines with a crystalline profile, yet with the intensity to make them ageworthy. The reds, where most of the progress has been of late, now see less new wood, with no more cold maceration, a bit less sulphur, shorter vatting time with a few whole bunches, not, though, for the clay-rich Clos de la Boutière. In short, a relaxation of control in order to allow more expression. - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy