2022 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Aligote Les Auvonnes au Pepe

Sylvain Pataille has been instrumental in raising the profile of Marsannay since founding his domaine in 1999. Farming around 17 hectares biodynamically, he works with a remarkable diversity of sites, from old-vine Pinot Noir to rare Aligoté Doré and Pinot Beurot, and is known for sensitive, terroir-driven élevage with a high proportion of whole bunches. His work has been central to the ongoing push for premier cru recognition in Marsannay, and his wines are frequently cited as reference points for the appellation. They combine clarity and lift with impressive depth, proving that Marsannay belongs firmly among the most serious terroirs of the Côte de Nuits.

En Auvonnes is found on the lower part of the slope, closer to the D974 on the border of Marsannay and Couchey. Here, the dense marl soil is littered with cailloux calcaires, which brings a positive reductive character to the wine. Pataille works with 0.10-hectare of beautiful Aligoté Doré planted by his grandfather, Armand, in the 1930s. Pépé is shorthand for grandfather in French.

Other Reviews....
Produced from a small plot west of Marsannay village in the lieu-dit En Auvone that was originally owned by Pataille’s grandfather, who planted it in the 1930s, this wine is a beautiful introduction to Pataille’s single-vineyard Aligoté range. Grapefruit and apricot fruit with structure and power on the palate, but enough pleasant, lemony brightness to bring balance. Organic. Drink 2024-2035.
93 points
Charles Curtis MW - Decanter

A classic aligoté nose reflects equal amounts of citrus character on the Granny Smith apple, spice and suggestions of floral wisps. The succulent, round and very punchy medium-bodied flavors brim with sappy dry extract as well as minerality that seems to build on the youthfully austere bitter lemon-tinged finale. This is superb and absolutely worth your interest if you like aligoté. Drink through 2028+.
88-91 points
Allen Meadows - Burghound

The 2022 Bourgogne Aligoté Auvonnes Au Pépé, named after the lieu-dit on marn soils, has one of my favorite bouquets from Pataille: endearing lemon thyme, pear, and white peach aromas blossom in the glass. The palate is well-balanced with a crisp bead of acidity. It is lightly spiced, but what makes this wine is the lip-smacking salinity on the finish. Very more-ish. Drink 2025-2034.
90-92 points
Neal Martin - Vinous

Mid lemon and lime with a salty white fruit on the nose. Clean white orchard fruit on the palate with a slaty note behind. Good length. May need longer to express itself fully, at which point it could leap ahead of its stable mates. Drink from 2025-2030.
89-90 points
Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy