Domaine Huguenot’s Marsannay Cuvée Charme aux Prêtres 2020 is an expressive red wine from one of Burgundy’s rising appellations. Made exclusively from Pinot Noir, this cuvée reflects the elegant typicity of its grape, leaning on finesse and subtlety rather than sheer power. The 2020 vintage benefited from a warm and relatively dry growing season, yielding grapes with optimal ripeness while retaining lively freshness. Vinification in Marsannay favours gentle extraction and careful ageing, often in French oak barrels, to preserve the pure fruit character and the signature minerality of this terroir. The soils in Charme aux Prêtres are predominantly limestone with some clay, which imparts a fine structure and a refined aromatic profile—think delicate red berries, crushed violets, and a whisper of earth and spice.
Marsannay, positioned at the very gateway to the Côte de Nuits, stands out as the only communal appellation in Burgundy to produce red, white and rosé wines. The region’s climate is continental, with cold winters and warm summers allowing slow maturation and aromatic development. The diverse soil types—kimmeridgian and bathonian limestones—confer both depth and tension to the wines, which are often praised for their accessibility in youth as well as their potential to age gracefully. While Marsannay historically provided much of Dijon’s table wine, recent decades have seen a surge in quality, with domaines such as Huguenot leading the charge.
For food pairing, this Marsannay is wonderfully versatile. Traditional Burgundian dishes like coq au vin, boeuf bourguignon, or a classic jambon persillé will resonate beautifully with its subtle tannins and bright fruit character. The wine is equally at home alongside roast duck, grilled lamb chops, or earthy mushroom risottos. For a lighter touch, consider pairing with herb-roasted chicken or a well-aged Comté cheese, both of which highlight the wine’s savoury nuances.
To enjoy the full spectrum of aromas and flavours, serve this wine at 15-17°C. Decanting for 30 minutes will help the bouquet unfurl, especially in its youth, revealing the full charm of this accomplished Marsannay.
