It’s always a privilege to meet up with my vigneron neighbour Pascal Marchand in Nuits-Saint-Georges. He is one of the most knowledgeable winegrowers in Burgundy, and it’s a treat to hear his views, which are based on vast knowledge and long experience. This is how I learn!
Tasting the Marchand-Tawse is always quite a daunting moment with 30 wines tasted and 20 to 30 still remaining in the cellars … indeed, a big estate. I prefer 20 wines maximum if I can influence the tasting – and normally, I will not go beyond 30!
Next year, I need to find a new take on the wines … 30 is still borderline over the top here … and too many wines get squeezed into the lineup.
Pascal is a great winemaker. Even with bought grapes, he produces wines of impressive quality. When we reach the top domaine wines, the quality level rises even further, with fruit from vineyards owned by the Marchand-Tawse group.
And importantly, Pascal has great help from his co-winemaker Mark Fincham, a very capable vigneron himself. Winemaker Thomas Dinel is also part of the team, along with Pascal’s two sons.
It’s a strong group, and the more prominent place of the Odilon Marchand is a great benefit as he calls the wines just as they are … just like his father does. Good neighbours and very nice people.
The qualities of the Marchand-Tawse Estate
The main quality of the wines made by and under Pascal Marchand is its drinkability: They drink well and bring pleasure.
Pascal can take négociant wines – the terroirs, the grapes – and reveal their qualities like few others. Some wines have emotional characteristics, others do not. But if the potential is there, chances are that the team at Marchand-Tawse will find it.
I have turned up the volume on the demands for wines qualifying as Vin d’émotion … they simply have to have more effortlessness … frais et léger …
The 2023s chez Marchand-Tawse
As expected, the 2023s showed well here, and quite differently from the more rich and quite succulent 2022s. I asked to taste only 30 samples, as I find that tasting more than that overwhelms my palate. Marchand-Tawse makes more than 50 wines each year.
Marchand-Tawse Coteaux Bourgignons 2023
The Bourgogne Côte d’Or is a lovely and lively wine … fresh and vivid. 30% Gamay works very well there providing a nice tension.
(Drink From 2025) – Good (86p) – 
Marchand-Tawse Bourgogne Vigne Blanche 2023
The Bourgogne Vigne Blanche is showing very well and vivid. Good phenolic ripeness it seems 1 new oak out of 8 does give this cuvée a fresh and vivacious feel … I do like this one.
(Drink From 2025) – Good (86p) –
Marchand-Tawse Côte de Nuits Village 2023
From the core terroirs of Côte de Nuits Village in Corgoloin. I love the vivid and fruity style of the 2023s. The oak is present but contributes to the hedonistic qualities. The Côte de Nuits village always seems to offer great drinkability.
(Drink From 2026) – Very Good (88p) – 
Domaine Tawse Beaune 1er Cru Clos du Roi 2023
The Clos du Roi has a lovely balance and a nice acidity for the vintage. There’s a clear mineral note – gorgeous salinity, good intensity, and a fine hedonistic feel. A good wine for the vintage.
(Drink From 2030) – Very Good+ (89-90p) –
Domaine Tawse Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières 2023
The Savigny Lavières is showing very well in 2023 with the lively fruit and the expression of 80-year-old vines. Has a lovely sensual fruity feel, I like this cuvée a lot. An emotional wine.
(Drink From 2030) – Very Good+ (90p) –
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- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable
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