At a glance

Producer

Sylvain Cathiard

Region

Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$150-$250

Tasting profile

Pure red and black cherry notes, hints of earth and spice, youthful minerality, with some firm tannic grip.

Evolution: Will develop more tertiary aromas such as forest floor, truffle, and subtle tobacco over the next 5-10 years.

At peak: Complex layered red fruits with silky tannins and deep earthy nuances; long and elegant finish.

Structure

Acidity

Balanced, medium-plus acidity providing freshness

Tannins

Firm, fine-grained tannins with good grip

Alcohol

Approximately 13-13.5% ABV

Aging potential

20+ years from vintage with proper cellaring

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2030 to 2050

Optimal window

2025 to 2053

Current status

Approaching early maturity

Current condition

The 2018 vintage is showing good primary fruit with firm structure, requiring additional time for full integration.

The 2018 vintage in Vosne-Romanée was excellent with great concentration and refined tannins. Sylvain Cathiard’s Malconsorts bottling is prestigious and structured, promising a peak drinking window 12-20 years from vintage. This aligns with top-quality Vosne-Romanée Premier Cru aging patterns.

Food pairing

Roast duck breast with Madeira sauce, wild mushrooms risotto, braised short ribs, or aged hard cheeses like Comté or Gruyère.

Serving

Serving temperature

16-18°C / 61-64°F

Decant

Yes (1 hour) — To open up the tight fruit and soften tannins, allowing aromatic complexity to emerge.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 7/10

Low chemical inputs, careful canopy management, minimal irrigation (as per Burgundy tradition), and focus on soil health.

Sylvain Cathiard is recognized for quality-driven, terroir-focused production with sustainability principles historically emphasized, though no official organic or biodynamic certifications are recorded for this bottling. The modest scale estate approach generally supports lower environmental impact compared to large industrial producers.