**Déjà Bu & Sylvain Pataille**

Region // **BURGUNDY**
Size // **VINTAGE DEPENDENT**
Viticulture // **ORGANIC & BIODYNAMIC (NOT CERTIFIED)**
Varieties // **ALIGOTÉ,** **PINOT NOIR**
Winemaker // **SYLVAIN PATAILLE**
Established // **2018**

Sylvain has been a family friend for many years. In 2018, my father Philippe Delacourcelle along with Sylvain, and fellow talented vignerons in Burgundy got together and kicked off 'Les Aligoteurs'- ambassadors invested in the promotion of Aligoté wine.
Around the same time, Sylvain and I collaborated to create two exclusive cuvées for Déjà Bu Wines: Aligotte! and Pinotte! We are now working on our third vintage.

Our Bourgogne Aligoté, Aligotte! usually ages for between 10 and 12 months in foudres (40/80hl old oak barrels). We add around 10% of pressed grapes aged in smaller (228l) oak barrels for a year. Minimal to no filtering, with just a smidge of sulfur (less than 35mg/L total) keeps things pure, and alive.

Pinotte! is made from the Pinot noir from Sylvain's home turf in Marsannay. We age them in old French barrels, a blend of 228l and 350l sizes. No sulfur is introduced at any point during the fermentation process, and no filtration before bottling - Our goal for both wines is to produce genuine terroir character wines.

We often throw around the term "passionate," but Sylvain Pataille truly embodies it. He's like that effortlessly cool professor who radiates boundless energy. With his meticulous nature, unwavering dedication, and not to forget his signature wild hair and stylish David Hockney glasses, Sylvain is the genuine artist both in the vineyard and the cellar. Much like the finest artists, he seamlessly combines rock 'n' roll zeal with an abundance of expertise and curiosity. A trailblazer since 2013, he's been delving into biodynamics and championing new-wave Bourgogne Aligoté, building on his journey of organic viticulture since 2007.

With an impressive repertoire of 24 cuvées, Pataille stands tall as a standout in Marsannay, particularly celebrated for his meticulously crafted Pinot Noir, known for its precision and elegance. As a vital presence within the Aligoteurs group, he's dedicated to unveiling the very essence of Aligoté in its finest expressions, further solidifying his role as a pioneer in the realm of new-wave Bourgogne Aligoté.

Whenever I'm extended an invitation to taste at the domaine or join for a rendezvous, I know it's not just a fleeting moment – it's a whole afternoon, perhaps even a full day affair. Sylvain, despite his bustling schedule, is an epitome of generosity. He shares his camaraderie, imparts knowledge, and dedicates his precious time whenever he makes himself available to you.

Sylvain, along with his partner Maryse, has nurtured 17 hectares of vineyards in and around Marsannay. They're even dedicated to sourcing grapes for a magnificent négoce Aligoté cuvée. Not just that, he's the sought-after consultant oenologist for approximately 20 growers in the Côte-d’Or and Côte Chalonnaise.

While Sylvain's heart belongs to Marsannay, his roots don't trace back to a winemaking lineage. His journey started at a tender age of 14, navigating through wine school in Beaune, and venturing to wine university in Bordeaux to ultimately fulfill his dream of becoming an oenologist. Between 1997 and 2001, he honed his skills at a Beaune lab (alongside Kyriakos Kynigopoulos), absorbing knowledge but craving ownership of his creations. The need to forge his own path drove him.

In 1999, Sylvain began with just a single hectare of vines. A few years later, in 2002, that modest start had transformed into 9 hectares. Throughout his journey, he meticulously selected the most remarkable terroirs of Marsannay, where limestone gracefully rests just below the surface. Since 2015, these vineyards have been nurtured through the guiding principles of biodynamics, deepening his commitment to crafting wines that speak to the land and its essence.

Les vins de Déjà Bu & Sylvain Pataille