Vieux Collège Marsannay "Les Longeroies" 2022

Notes:

Producer: Domaine du Vieux Collège is a family-owned estate located in Marsannay-la-Côte and is managed by Éric Guyard, the seventh generation of the family. Since assuming responsibility for the domaine in 2006, Guyard has expanded the estate to approximately 25 hectares, with vineyards in Marsannay, Fixin, Gevrey-Chambertin, and the Hautes-Côtes de Nuits. The estate has been certified organic since the 2014 vintage, reflecting a long-term commitment to soil health and sustainable viticulture. Vineyard work emphasizes hand harvesting, controlled yields, and parcel-by-parcel farming, while the cellar follows traditional Burgundian methods designed to preserve the individuality of each climat. The domaine produces all three colors permitted under the Marsannay appellation and has become one of the village's leading family estates.
Vineyard: Les Longeroies is widely regarded as one of Marsannay's finest climats and is frequently cited among the vineyards considered for future Premier Cru classification. The domaine farms 0.60 hectares planted to Pinot Noir, with an average vine age of 35 years. Located on the upper portion of the slope in Marsannay-la-Côte, the vineyard benefits from an east to southeast exposure and clay-limestone soils containing angular gravel over limestone bedrock. Its elevated position promotes slow, even ripening while preserving acidity, producing wines with structure, mineral character, and aging potential. The name "Longeroies" is derived from an Old French term referring to land that could be cultivated in long furrows.
Winemaking: Produced from 100% Pinot Noir, the grapes are harvested entirely by hand before fermentation using traditional Burgundian methods. The wine is matured for 12 months in French oak barrels, with approximately 40% new oak, followed by bottling after the élevage is complete. The relatively high proportion of new barrels is balanced by the concentration of fruit from the vineyard, contributing structure without overwhelming the wine's varietal character. The domaine favors gentle extraction and measured oak integration, allowing the vineyard's fruit profile and mineral character to remain the principal focus while providing the framework for bottle development.
Food Pairing: Pair with roast duck, grilled lamb, beef tenderloin, venison, mushroom risotto, coq au vin, or aged Gruyère and Comté. The wine's structure, bright acidity, and savory profile also complement dishes featuring wild mushrooms, herbs, or red wine reductions.