Bruno Clair, Pinot Noir, Rose, Marsannay, Burgundy, France 2023

Bruno Clair Estate

Bruno's wine family history dates back to the early 1900s, when his grandfather, originally from Santenay, Joseph Clair married Marguerite Daü who was working on vineyards in Marsannay. Over the years, they acquired vineyards in some of the most important climats in Burgundy, Chambertin Clos-de-Bèze, Les Cazetiers in Gevrey Chambertin, Bonnes-Mares in Chambolle-Musigny, among others. 

Upon Joseph's death in 1971, the family separated their holdings of their Clair-Daü Estate, with Bruno Clair starting his eponymous domain in 1979. 

Now Bruno Clair along with his wife, Isabelle, and their 3 children, farm 27 ha across 8 villages and 32 different appellations. Most of their holdings are in the Cotes de Nuits- including some incredible Grand Cru holdings and Clos Saint-Jacques Premier Cru. 

Marsannay

The most northern part of Cote de Nuits is Marsannay, home village of Domaine Bruno Clair. The only village in Burgundy to allow the production of rosé wine, gaining its Appellation Status (AOP) in 1987. For the longest time, Marsannay was considered an appellation for rosé, due to the fact that Joseph Clair- Bruno’s Grandfather- started producing rosé wine in 1918 in an effort to weather the economic downturn of the period by bringing a unique wine from Marsannay to the market. 

Rosé of Pinot Noir

Half of the grapes are pressed off the skins, while the other half spends a 3-4 maceration on the skins to bring out structure and color concentration. Post fermentation, the wine is aged in old barrels for about 10 months. 

Expressive, with notes of crunchy cherry and strawberry, wrapped in crushed stone minerality. While it drinks well in youth, it can benefit from a few year aging. Consider decanting for utmost enjoyment.