Domaine Edmond Monnot et Fils Maranges Clos de la Boutière Premier Cru 2021

For over 20 years, Stéphane Monnot has been producing wines from the small but enviable holdings spread across some of the top sites in the Côte de Beaune. This single parcel Premier Cru of 80-year-old pinot noir vines is simply wondrous to taste, and we just happen to have it at the best price ANYWHERE!

"Boutière” means “end of the field” – in this case, a reference to the vineyard’s location at the far end of Marange’s revered Les Clos Roussots and right on the border to neighboring Santenay. Stéphane owns half of the vineyard, where clay and silty limestone meet to produce powerful and intense Red Burgundy. The rows sit on the mid-slopes (just like most Grand Crus) and these 80-year-old vines continually craft some of the most prestigious wines in all of Maranges.

Maranges sits on the southern gateway to the Côte de Beaune, and most of Stéphane’s 15 hectares are found in this village. The Monnot family has been farming these vines since 1928, with Stéphane being the third generation to run this Domaine.

The old vines help to create a balance of concentration and complexity, and Stéphane skillfully coaxes the berries to get plenty of both – all without extracting excess tannin. The grapes are macerated for 18-21 days, with gentle punchdowns by hand, before a gentle pressing, and aging across 18 months. The first year occurs in mostly neutral Allier oak barrels, with the final six months in stainless steel vats before bottling. The resulting wine is awash with red berry flavors and aromas of cherries, raspberries, and red plums, followed by a delicate sous bois note, and some kicks of baking spices like cinnamon and clove. Elegance is the name of the game here, where a dark ruby hue flows softly across the palate – with a long finish that showcases very fine and velvety tannins. This Burgundy has structure, to be certain, and the ability to age a decade easily, but little will be sacrificed by those who opt for early drinking.

At under $45, this is a treat for Premier Cru, single parcel, old vine Red Burgundy – and I can’t think of any direct comparison that could match it! We scored a handful of cases, but if you’re thinking about this and turkey – don’t think you’re the only one!

PAIRING IDEAS: Didn’t we cover this? Turkey! If you don’t know the famous “butter blanket” method...go on and Google it. Most of it will drip off, but you’ll be left with crisp, tender, and oh-so-flavorful skin! Better still, tuck onions, carrots, celery, garlic, and some herbs under your roasting rack, and all that butter drippings, plus a couple of ladles of stock, maybe a bit of wine...and boom! You have your gravy base ready to go.