2020 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Clos du Roy

Alongside Longeroies and Champ Perdix, the Clos du Roy is one of Marsannay’s largest and most revered vineyards. Some consider it the appellation’s finest terroir, which makes sense when you consider the name: Roy is the ancient French spelling of roi, meaning king. It’s a steep, east-facing slope above the village of Chenôve, on the same line as the Gevrey Premiers Crus to the south. It has lightish red soil, including some sand, over a bed of Comblanchien limestone. When Marsannay finally gets its first Premier Cru (expected 2024), Clos du Roy will likely be at the front of the queue.

Pataille farms a serious 2.25 hectares in the clos, from vines planted in 1952, 1965, 1978 and 2001. As for the winemaking, ‘the king’s vineyard’ gets the royal treatment in the cellar, with 18 months in barrel and six months in tank before being bottled unfiltered. It ferments almost entirely as whole bunches.

Other Reviews....
The most complete to date. Also in the cool cellar for two years ageing. A deep full colour, clearly very intense but retiring into its shell. Super sweet velvety fruit, all the fruits of the rainbow, entirely red, a wonderful mineral thread, exceptional length. What an aftertaste! Tasted: November 2021.
91-93 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy