From: Burgundy, France

Varietal: Chardonnay

Tasting Notes: Pataille's Bourgogne Blanc Les Méchalots is a luminous straw yellow in color, with a bouquet of lime blossom and jasmine, fruity aromas of mandarin, mineral salts, and a touch of wood. The palate is well balanced with strong acidity and a savory finish. A beautiful example of a Burgundy white wine.

This wine is made according to Pataille's production philosophy, which focuses on natural and sustainable winemaking methods: the harvest is done by hand and fermentation takes place spontaneously with indigenous yeasts on whole bunches, followed by a period of 18 months of aging in barrels on fine lees.

Sylvain Pataille is one of those rare vignerons whose hard work and dedication have elevated the overall quality and public perception of the wines in his village. Sylvain, and his brother Laurent, now farm 15 hectares of vineyards located exclusively in Marsannay. They have been pushing hard to designate some of the special terroir there as 1er Cru, and it will likely happen soon. When you shake Sylvain's hands you are reminded that these are hands that work really hard! They are rough as sandpaper because he is out in the vineyards for 11 months of the year. Sylvain is also a very talented chemist who so excelled at his classes in Bordeaux that he is the consulting enologist at 15 or so great domaines in Burgundy including Domaine Roumier in Chambolle-Musigny and Chateau de la Tour in Clos Vougeot. He is very passionate and devoted to his domaine in Marsannay which he built from nothing. His first vintage was in 1999. Like Bruno Clair, he is an indefatigable champion of the village of Marsannay.