As is typically the case, Pataille has fashioned some really lovely wines from modest appellations.

 
– Burghound, on Pataille’s lovely 2022s.

Sylvain Pataille is low-key one of the great winemakers in Burgundy. There’s no doubt he’s great: his wines make it to top wine lists and a select band of insiders love to collect them too. He’s been consulting oenologist to top producers for ages. 

But his greatness, expressed through the relatively humble terroirs and rare grapes and clones he champions, makes his a greatness of whispers, not of shouts. 

He’s best known for his Reds: he started building his domaine in Marsannay about 25 years ago, the village had only had AOC status for a little more than 10 years. Today it’s on the cusp of having its top sites granted premier cru status – in no small measure thanks to Sylvain’s own work. 

Similarly, his hard work has helped Aligoté (Burgundy’s second white grape, after Chardonnay) go from being thought of as a cheap, acidic white for kir (or not thought of at all) to being a favorite of many of Burgundy’s top producers. Partly that’s the hard work he’s done preserving old vines of the extra-special Aligoté Doré clone. Partly its making beautiful expressions from Aligoté grown on excellent terroir. But he also co-founded the Aligoteurs, an association of likeminded growers devoted to making (and enjoying – their parties are legendary!) great Aligoté. Today the ranks of that group have expanded to over 50 growers. 

Everything about Pataille is great – except the quantities. He doesn’t make that much wine and we only get a bit of it in America. So don’t wait to click through below and get your bottles at today’s special Newsletter pricing.

Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Aligote 2022 - $34.99
This isn’t just Aigoté – it’s 60-year-old vines of the especially expressive, even profound, Aligoté Doré clone. It’s a favorite of ours every year, and Burghound gave the 2022 his “Outstanding” commendation and wrote, “a very aligoté nose of green apple, citrus and spice introduces racy, delicious and softly stony middle weight flavors that terminate in a dry, clean and refreshing finish that offers better depth and persistence than is typical for the genre.”

Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne Rouge 2022 - $43.99
Stunning wine for the level: “The 2022 Bourgogne Rouge has a delineated and attractive bouquet, a little backward initially but opening with brambly red fruit and forest floor scents. The palate has a real "crunch" to it, more of a textural Pinot than one with obvious fruit flavors. Delicious.” - Neal Martin, (Vinous)

Domaine Sylvain Pataille Marsannay Rouge 2022 - $63.99
“A lovely glowing mid red, with a fresh strawberry note, plenty of energy, and very good acidity. A lovely and lively wine with a very long finish. Drink from 2025-2029.” (Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy)