Another Gem from Sylvain Pataille

Dear Wine Lovers,

Several months ago my eloquent and humorous (thus proving that these 2 attributes are not mutually exclusive) partner in the Thoreau Wine Society, Mary Taylor, wrote about Sylvain Pataille and one of his superb Marsannays.

During this past summers International Pinot Noir Celebration, Sylvain showed his top winea blend from old vines in several of his premier cru quality vineyards which he calls 'L'Ancestral'  and it stole the show, as they say. Mr. Pataille is as passionate and knowledgeable about wine as he is likeable. He has risen to the top in the Cote de Nuits both as a wine maker and consultant for very good reasons: he has exceptional technical skills and a fabulous palate  qualities which do not always exist in the same person. The moment you start tasting his wines and listening to him, you know you are in the presence of the real thing.                     

Recently I tasted several of Patailles wines at a tasting organized by his distributor, Michael Feuerstein of Pas Mal Importers/Distributors. One delightful wine that caught my fancy was Patailles least expensive wine:

The 2006 Passetoutgrain. This appellation refers to red wines made in Burgundy by the co-fermenting of 2/3 Gamay (The red wine grape of Beaujolais) and 1/3rd Pinot Noir. Passetoutgrains are the only red wines in Burgundy proper that can legally include the Gamay grape which, until the late 1300s was as ubiquitous in the vineyards of Burgundy, perhaps more so than Pinot Noir.

Gamay was banned from Burgundy by Philippe The Bold in 1395 but  made its way back to Burgundy in the late 1880s. You just cannot keep a good grape down. By nature, Passetoutgrains are meant to be easy drinking entry level Burgundies. But of course when a grower/producer as scrupulous and enlightened at Sylvain Pataille makes a Passetoutgrain it will and does have an extra dimension of flavor and class easily surpassing the vast majority of such wines.

To the easy charm correctly found in Passetoutgrains there is a voluptuous and vibrant core of rich, mineral-drenched fruit which speaks very clearly the language of northern Burgundy. Patailles Passetoutgrain is indeed a synthesis of the best of the 2 grapes from which it is made: Delightful and arresting at the same time. Not many wine makers can pull this off. But Sylvain Pataille so often transcends his peers that perhaps this is not a surprise after all. This is a delicious, sensual, food-friendly and affordable red Burgundy. Can one ask for more? 

2006 Sylvain Pataille Passetoutgrain 

$21.50/bottle, 2 Bottle Minimum

Limited quantities- First come first served. 

Does not include local tax or delivery / shipping. Pick up option is available (please inquire).

We ship to 48 states.

Please reply with desired quantities and Mary will confirm your order.

Bob Millman

ThoreauWineSociety.com

Comments

[KETU]

This is very nice post..

[MaryRebecca Taylor]

Thanks for the props!