Louis Latour Marsannay Rouge 2023 precisely demonstrates why Marsannay is such an interesting northern gateway to the Côte d'Or. This red Burgundy comes from an appellation that only received its official recognition in 1987, but is now firmly established within the Côte de Nuits. The combination of a historic winery, manual harvesting, and vinification without oak aging gives this wine a pure, vibrant, and remarkably classic character.
Marsannay is located in the northern part of the Côte de Nuits, just below Dijon.
Location / Origin: Marsannay marks the northern entrance to the Côte d'Or and forms the beginning of the famous Route des Grands Crus through Burgundy.
Appellation: Marsannay was granted Appellation Contrôlée status in 1987, in recognition of the consistent quality of the wines from this village.
Soil: The vineyards are on clay and limestone, with iron-rich soils that contribute to the lively and robust character of Marsannay.
Vineyard & Harvest: The vines are on average 30 years old, yields are around 45 hl/ha, and the grapes are harvested by hand.
The vinification is traditional, with an emphasis on fruit purity and a smooth structure.
Fermentation: The wine undergoes traditional fermentation in open vats and complete malolactic fermentation. What is malolactic fermentation? This is when tart malic acid is converted into softer lactic acid, making the wine feel rounder and smoother.
Aging: Aging for 10–12 months in stainless steel keeps the fruit expression bright and allows the wine time to beautifully integrate its structure.
This Marsannay Rouge is made from the classic grape variety for red Burgundy.
Pinot Noir – Marsannay: Pinot Noir gives this wine its core of cherry fruit, refined tannins, and elegant Burgundian structure.
93–94/100, Vert de Vins (2023): High rating for the combination of ripe dark fruit, floral notes, spiciness, precision, and a juicy, persistent structure.
92/100, James Suckling (2023): Praised for notes of raspberry, strawberry, orange peel, and crushed stone, with medium body, firm fruit, and tannic tension.
89/100 and Top Value Wine, Burghound.com (2023): Selected as strong value within its category and appreciated for its fresh ripe fruit, energy, and aging potential of 4–7 years.
89/100, Tim Atkin (2023): A strong international assessment on the 100-point scale for this Marsannay from the 2023 vintage.
Burgundy Report, “Intense” (2023): An apt assessment for the dark cherries, fresh breadth, and persistent finish of this wine.
