Why it matters
The producer
Laurent Fournier works in Marsannay-la-Côte, where Domaines Jean Fournier traces its origins to the 17th century. The domaine makes red and white wines, and Laurent prefers less extracted wines than his father did. Its range includes named Marsannay wines, Bourgogne Aligoté En Auvonne, and Aloxe-Corton.
Laurent Fournier planned standard bottling for April to May while running tests at 20 to 22 months of élevage. He was testing the longer cellar period for warmer vintages and watching what it would bring in cooler years. Élevage is the time between fermentation and bottling, and longer élevage can soften texture while allowing aromas to integrate before the wine leaves the cellar. The trials were still underway when Laurent described them.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Marsannay-la-Côte sits in the north of the Côte de Nuits, within Burgundy. The domaine's wines carry Marsannay names alongside Bourgogne Aligoté En Auvonne and Aloxe-Corton, giving the range both a home address and bottles from beyond Marsannay.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
The red wines use approximately 50% whole cluster fermentation, with the whole clusters placed at the bottom of the tank instead of layered through it. Whole cluster fermentation leaves the stems with the grapes during fermentation. Stems can contribute perfume, spice, and tannin, while the tank placement controls where that material sits during the ferment.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range includes red Marsannay wines from Clos du Roy, Es Chezots, Longeroies, and Le Chapitre, together with white Marsannay Clos du Roy Blanc. Bourgogne Aligoté En Auvonne and Aloxe-Corton extend the range beyond Marsannay.
Marsannay Clos du Roy Blanc is Chardonnay from 20 to 40 year old vines. Bourgogne Aligoté En Auvonne comes from old vines in Couchey. The lineup therefore includes named red and white Marsannay wines, older Chardonnay, and old vine Aligoté.