“Pataille is proof that major Burgundy can come from a minor address.” – Jancis Robinson, on the humble village of Marsannay.

Sylvain Pataille’s father, a bus driver by trade, spent all his free time helping in a friend’s vineyards. Sylvan’s uncle owned an estate in the Medoc that the family visited every summer. Even as a child, Sylvain knew that he too belonged in the vineyards. In 1999, he started with one mere hectare, and slowly grew his estate to 15 hectares. Years of trusting his vision have paid off. 

The 2020 Marsannay Aligoté La Charme aux Prêtres is a striking expression of terroir, history, and precision winemaking. The vineyard’s name, "Charme aux Prêtres," carries echoes of its past: "Charme," an ancient Burgundian term for rocky, fallow land, and "Prêtres," meaning priests, suggest its historical connection to the Church. Though renamed "Les Rosey" in the early 20th century, the original name remains a testament to the vineyard’s storied roots. 

Sitting on the mid-to-lower slopes of Marsannay at 280-300 meters, the east-facing site benefits from a moderate slope and varied soils. According to maps by Francoise Vannier, the vineyard contains three distinct limestone types, from fossil-rich Calcaire à entroque at the top to Comblanchien limestone and Ostrea acuminata marl further down. However, Sylvain Pataille himself believes the vineyard’s reductive minerality owes much to the marl, which gives his wines their hallmark tension and vibrancy.

The 2020 vintage reveals a deep lemon hue and an extraordinary balance of richness and minerality. Aromas of white flowers lead into a palate marked by steadfast energy and a refined, lingering finish that captures the essence of Marsannay’s evolving potential.

Pataille’s dedication to showcasing Marsannay’s terroir shines in this Aligoté, a wine that stands as both a modern triumph and a reflection of its historical and geological roots.