Domaine Charles Audoin
Marsannay Rosé, FRANCE | 2023
What good would a monthly wine club do in a Chicago July if there’s not a rosé in the mix? You all know how we feel about representing serious rosés that have a real sense of place, and this one hails from a village with more pink wine history than you might expect. Marsannay has been quietly making rosé since 1920 which was long before it had its own AOC, and certainly before the category became the summertime juggernaut it is now. Domaine Charles Audoin is a also big reason Marsannay is finally getting its due after spending decades in the shadows of its other more famous sister regions in the Côte de Nuits. Started by Charles in the 1970s and now guided by his son Cyril, this estate has become one of the region’s most respected benchmarks, known for its expressive, single-site wines and commitment to organic farming.
The 2023 Marsannay Rosé comes from 60-year-old estate vines rooted in that inimitable Burgundian clay and chalky limestone from the tiny 14 hectare estate. After a meticulous hand-harvest and sorting, the grapes undergo a short one-hour skin contact before pressing, just enough time to impart its pale salmon hue that rosé lovers historically go gaga over. Fermented and aged in stainless steel vats and bottled after eight months, this wine is all about freshness and aromatic clarity. It's delicate, yes, but far from simple! There’s nuance here that reminds you this is a rosé born in Pinot Noir’s homeland.
This rosé was also made with care and purpose and not just as a seasonal afterthought. Everything from the vineyard work to the gentle vinification is done to preserve purity and character of the fruit. The result is a rosé that’s savory, stony, and undeniably Burgundian, with just enough structure to elevate it well beyond your typical pink porch pounder. It’s a wine you can drink now with grilled vegetables and fresh olive oil, or salmon crudo with aleppo. You can also easily keep a few bottles on hand to see how it settles into itself over the next year (if you can find any more of it!).
Charles Audoin has played a pivotal role in turning Marsannay from a footnote into a serious appellation in the Côte de Nuits which is why we wanted to offer you this rare glimpse into that world. Wines made like this are what make us giddy. There’s a quiet confidence to the 2023 rosé with no shortcuts taken and no flash added. Just beautifully grown fruit from an estate that’s been doing the work for generations.