It seems hard to fathom given its historic stature, but we are living in the golden age of Burgundy. The quality and diversity of its wines have never been better or more extensive. And while long-established domaines continue to turn out some of the world's greatest wines, this venerable region has ironically become an incubator for a new generation. A fresh crop of young, intrepid winemakers, whose outsized talents, energy and new perspectives have garnered a fervent following among old-school Burghounds and young enthusiasts alike.
For me, Domaine de Cassiopée is at the top of this next-gen class, and is my favorite new domaine in Burgundy. The wines have a delicious and fascinating mix of traditional Burgundian elegance combined with vibrant energy. The estate is lead by a young couple injecting new life into Maranges, a long-overlooked village at the southern tip of the Côte de Beaune, whose combination of southern exposure and clay-rich soils have historically produced some of the Côte’s darker, more structured Pinot Noirs.
Despite the village's reputation for rusticity, Cassiopée's wines are cerebral and significant, with the kind of elegance, grace and detail one would expect from Burgundy's more celebrated terroirs. These wines have more in common with Chambolle-Musigny than Maranges, no doubt due to the couple's illustrious resumés that include stints at Domaine Jean-Marc Roulot and Benjamin Leroux.
Today, I'm thrilled to present this comprehensive offer celebrating Cassioppée's prodigious talents. If you love Burgundy as I do, these are not to be missed. |
|
 |
|
Maranges 'Les Plantes' 2023 $89.99
Sourced from a single vineyard of 110 year old vines. This southwest facing site is comprised of Burgundy's classic clay-limestone soil. Manually harvested, de-stemmed and fermented in used oak barrels with daily pump-overs. The wine is then aged for 15 months in neutral barriques before being racked and bottled for release.
Intense and concentrated, the age of the vines here is clear as day. Blackberry, dark plum, licorice and cassis notes mingle perfectly with earthy truffle and black tea. The tannins are silky and compact, with an added layer of textural chalky minerals. Deep and baritone, this is a wine with serious stature, and a perfect example of why collectors are gravitating towards this young domaine.
|
 |
|
Maranges 'Le Saugeot' 2023 $78.99
A parcel planted in the 70's, 'Saugeot' is just five blocks of northeast facing vines on a steep slope. The soil here is more clay and silt with limestone bedrock. Vinified similarly to 'Les Plantes', this wine is also de-stemmed, fermented in neutral oak and aged for 15 months in barrique before release.
This is an incredible take on Maranges, where the darkness, earthiness and depth shine, yet are contrasted perfectly by Cassiopée's light hand. Dark violet florals and forest floor run against bing cherry and crushed raspberries. The palate is high-toned and lithe, but framed by earthy, savory notes. The long finish adds another dimension to savor and leaves you waiting for the next sip.
|
|
 |
|
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 'Les Côtes' 2023 $69.99
A rare site comprised of granitic bedrock, a soil type not usually found in Burgundy. The vines were planted in the 60s on a hill southwest of Savigny-lès-Beaune. De-stemmed and fermented in neutral barrel. Then aged for one full year in used barriques before bottling.
Airy and high-toned, the nose is packed with fresh red cherry and strawberry, countered by rosemary and elegant rose notes. The palate is bright, displaying lots of juicy red fruit supported by smokey, spicy granitic minerality. The fine-grained tannins give this wine a silky, delicate structure. A singular and fascinating expression of Pinot Noir that defies the region's typical style.
|
 |
Hautes-Côtes de Beaune 'Les Paizets' 2023 $69.99
Coming from the same vineyard as 'Les Côtes', these vines are higher up the hill. As a result, the bedrock is more traditional limestone, with none of the granite. The vines see more sun and wind and are planted with less density. Vinified identically to 'Les Côtes', also ages for a year in barriques before bottling.
In contrast to 'Les Côtes', this is a deeply indulgent wine. Punchy black cherry and blackberry on the nose is matched by an equally pure-fruited, crunchy palate. Lively and lush, there's a softness to the tannins that meld perfectly with the juicy, generous fruit. A subtle, traditional limestone mineral vein runs throughout, giving this wine complexity and a regal feel.
|
|
|
Bourgogne 'En Gerlieus' 2022 $66.99
Sourced from the domaine's northern-most parcel, towards the city of Beaune, planted to 50-70 year old vines. The mature vines struggle to produce fruit, resulting in clusters with exceptional concentration, a rarity in most Bourgogne Rouge. Due to this, the grapes are treated differently than the other cuvées: fermented using 40% whole clusters in neutral oak, then aged in a mix of neutral barriques and amphora for 20 months before bottling.
A dense and concentrated nose of freshly plucked rose petals, Turkish delight, pomegranate and ripe raspberry. The palate is soft and gossamer but layered with red fruit, florals and soft Pinot spice. The refined structure and complexity really make this wine stand out, certainly not your average Bourgogne Rouge.
|
|
|
After an already impressive career with several Burgundian icons, Hugo Mathurin and Talloulah Dubourg began Domaine de Cassiopée in early 2020. Their history includes two of our favorite growers: Jean-Marc Roulot and Benjamin Leroux.
With the cost of land skyrocketing in Burgundy, the pair looked south for value, to the village of Sampigny-lès-Maranges, and have taken full advantage of this locale. Building a strong array of holdings while farming impeccably, fully organic with some biodynamics.
This is a domaine to watch for anyone who loves wine, but especially for Burgundy lovers looking for real value. |
|
|
*SPECIAL NEWSLETTER PRICE - CHOOSE ANY 3 & RECEIVE 5% OFF
To order, reply directly to this email or call me at 843.576.4845
|
|
|
Justin Coleman
Proprietor
Monarch Wine Merchants |
|
|
