2021 Marsannay Le Chapitre
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Laurent Fournier handed me a bottle of the 2021 Marsannay Le Chapitre before driving back to Blighty. Not in bottle, it has an open-knit bouquet with slightly leafy red fruit, touches of clove and tomato vine, the 50% whole bunches arguably a little "vocal." But the palate is well balanced, with noticeable acidity lending freshness and compensating for its simplicity. No qualms about cracking this open for dinner the first night after my Burgundy trip, and it will drink for 4-5 years.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
The 2021 Marsannay Le Chapitre is a blend of 50% whole bunches and 50% de-stemmed. This works well on the nose, quite complex with blackcurrant and raspberry scents, a touch of fennel and clove. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine definition, just a bit of hardness on the backend though that detracts from its potential finesse.
An interesting hint of freshly ground coffee can be found on the aromas red and dark currant that are trimmed in subtle oak. The sleek and refined, indeed almost delicate, middleweight flavors possess excellent cut and minerality while delivering good if not special depth and persistence on the youthfully persistent finish. This is on the lighter side yet even so, it will need a few years to develop more depth – besides, Le Chapitre rarely drinks especially well young