At a glance

Producer

Sylvain Pataille

Region

Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Aligoté

Wine type

White

Body

Light-bodied and Crisp

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

€28-€40 per 750ml bottle (global retail, June 2024 estimates)

Tasting profile

Lively citrus (lemon, grapefruit), crisp apple, green pears, floral notes, and saline mineral finish.

Evolution: With short-term aging (2-3 years), texture rounds out, fruit evolves to stone fruit, subtle hazelnut notes may emerge.

At peak: Most expressive balance of freshness and subtle complexity between 2025-2027.

Structure

Acidity

High

Tannins

None (white wine)

Alcohol

Moderate (12-12.5%)

Aging potential

Short to moderate (best enjoyed within 2-5 years of vintage)

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2025 to 2040

Optimal window

2024 to 2043

Current status

Young – Primary fruit dominant

Current condition

Fresh, vibrant acidity with youthful fruit and minerality

Bourgogne Aligoté from Sylvain Pataille is known for its purity, tension, and aromatic exuberance, showing best within 2-4 years after release as the acidity integrates and secondary notes begin to appear without loss of vibrancy.

Food pairing

Excellent with fresh oysters, shellfish, goat cheese, fresh salads, and light poultry or vegetable dishes.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Manual vineyard work, use of organic composts, no synthetic herbicides/pesticides, native yeast fermentations, low-intervention winemaking, lightweight glass for bottles, recycled materials in packaging, solar energy partially used in operations.

Sylvain Pataille is highly regarded for his commitment to organic and biodynamic farming in Marsannay and greater Burgundy. Vineyards are dry-farmed, biodiversity is encouraged, and all site work is by hand or horse. Winery energy use is minimized and packaging is sustainably considered. Pataille's approach represents best-in-class environmental stewardship for artisan Burgundy. The only deduction is for exported bottles' transport footprint, not production methods.