WTN: Maranges

Château de Mercey (Antonin Rodet) Maranges 1er Cru Les Clos Roussots 2007
19,98€; 12,5%; 6,4 g/l acidity; from the village of Sampigny-Lès-Maranges; 18 months in 30% new oak.

This was my first experience with Maranges and it was quite an interesting one. I normally dislike obvious oak aromas very much, but for some completely incomprehensible reason, I don't seem to mind them here. Instead, they mesh attractively with the vegetal, rustic Pinosity. Rich and chewy palate, pleasantly rustic. This reminds me a bit of those old Camille Girouds. I must try it again to make sure, because with such obvious oak, I cannot believe that I am enjoying this as much as I am.

I love, old school, rustic Pinosity and this wine, despite the oak, is the closest I've seen to that style in a long time.

[James Roscoe]

Maybe you have a "maturing" palate Otto. It happens. Nice to see this note. I guess the price isn't too bad for your neck of the woods?

I have a soft spot for Maranges and try them whenever I can. The 1er Fussieres from B. Morey seems reliably good, and even though one isn't supposed to admit it, I've enjoyed the Giradin 1er Maranges too. One Burgundy book claims that there are an abundance of well-sited old vines in this village and their quality was appreciated for bulking up inferior batches of more famous appelations to the north.