Château de Marsannay : Fixin Village 2020

Tasting notes and serving tips for the Fixin Village 2020 from Château de Marsannay

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a lovely purple hue adorned with deep ruby and garnet highlights.

Nose

The nose opens on ripe, sensual aromas of black cherry, plum and blackcurrant, complemented by spicy notes and subtle touches of oak. The bouquet then evolves toward delicate floral fragrances recalling violet and peony, typical of the Pinot Noir from this region. Animal notes, musk and pepper complete this complex aromatic palette.

Palate

On the palate, this wine reveals a broad structure and lovely freshness. The texture is delicate and remarkably rich, with generous red-fruit flavors lifted by earthy and spicy nuances. The tannins are supple and refined, while the acidity brings striking vibrancy. The finish lingers with great length and concludes on a distinctive salinity that reflects the limestone terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Fixin Village 2020 is a perfect match for braised meats such as pork or beef in sauce. It also pairs beautifully with roasted poultry such as duck or guinea fowl, particularly when served with fruit-based sauces. Mushroom dishes make a harmonious pairing, as do roasted game birds. For cheese, opt for aged Comté, Chaource or Époisses.

Serving and cellaring potential

Serve this Fixin Village 2020 at a temperature between 13 and 15°C. This wine can be enjoyed now but will gain in complexity over time. Drink until around 2030.

A concentrated, elegant Burgundy Pinot Noir from Château de Marsannay

The estate

Established in 1990 in Marsannay-la-Côte, on the doorstep of Dijon in Burgundy, the Château de Marsannay is a recent construction designed to vinify and age wines from vineyards acquired by the Boisseaux family. Since 2012, the current owner, Olivier Halley, has overseen the estate and its investments. The vineyard spans around 40 hectares, a significant portion of which is in AOC Marsannay, and includes plots in premiers crus and grands crus. Conversion to organic farming was completed in 2021.

The vineyard

This Fixin comes from a plot of around 0.25 hectares located at the bottom of the slope with a due-south exposure. The clay-limestone soils with scree from cone deposits give the wine its minerality and structural complexity. This favorable position benefits from optimal sunshine during the ripening period. The Fixin appellation, located in the north of the Côte de Nuits between Dijon and Gevrey-Chambertin, produces wines renowned for their firm structure and distinctive character.

The vintage

The year 2020 in Burgundy was marked by exceptional earliness and warm climatic conditions. Budbreak occurred in mid-April, around one month ahead of the historical average. Flowering took place in cool, humid conditions, leading to millerandage, which reduced yields but concentrated the berries. Summer brought intense heat and a prolonged drought, with rainfall reduced by half compared with normal. Despite these hot conditions, acidity was remarkably well preserved, yielding wines that are concentrated and balanced. Harvesting finished exceptionally early, mostly in August.

Vinification and aging

Fixin Village 2020 benefited from meticulous vinification with around 25% whole-cluster fruit. Extraction was carried out gently through infusion and light pump-overs, favoring the expression of the terroir. Aging took place over around 18 months in oak barrels, 30% of which were new, in a temperature-controlled cellar located ten meters underground. This extended maturation enabled the development of integrated aromas and further refinement of the tannic structure.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.