The town of Maragnes is an underrated source for red Burgundy. Located at the very southern end of the Côte d’Or, it’s often left off regional maps, and its reputation is for rusticity over refinement.
But chosen carefully, Maranges can offer excellent value for red Burgundy drinkers. The wines never reach the complexity of Vosne or Chambolle, but can offer a less subtle alternative at far better prices.
Today we’re excited to release the 2016 Maranges 1er cru “Fussière” from the Domaine Roger Belland, a cheerful, approachable red Burgundy with unusual class for its level.
Roger Belland is an excellent source for easy drinking, approachable red Burgundy. They use a long, very cool fermentation to retain the fruit in their wines. Today’s Maranges is from a south-facing vineyard and a vintage with excellent ripeness — it’s lively, round, and, as Belland puts it, “very gourmand.”
In the nose there’s intense, juicy, bursting cranberry fruit, with notes of honey and tulips. The mouth is pleasant and punchy with young, approachable tannins, no raspiness, and a clean refreshing finish. Burghound found it “very round” with “nicely voluminous flavors” and “pliant tannins.”
This is an excellent choice for Thanksgiving — a pinot noir with the jovial soul of a Beaujolais.
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Belland Maranges 1er cru “Fussière” 2016
bottle price: $35
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON ANY 12 BOTTLES
