Clair Obscur, Maranges 'Sur Le Bois Sud' Rouge 2020
The Wine
The vines here are 30yrs old and managed biodynamically on quite a flat 0.25ha vineyard in the classic Burgundy soil mix of limestone and clay, this is the second vintage made by Pierre following his acquisition of the vineyard. Aged in old barrels in Pierre’s tiny cave next to his house in Corpeau, the wine is made from yields of 28lh with no chaptalisation, fining or filtration and just a little sulphur added at bottling. Lots of fresh cherries on the nose. On the palate the fruit is frank, vibrant and sustained, and there is a silky grain to the tannins on the finish. Wines made like this without recourse to too much new oak or high levels of sulphur are just so easy and pleasurable to drink in their youth.
Organic and practices Bio-Dynamic but not certified.
The Details
Variety - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Sub Region - Maranges
Extra - Cork
Year - 2020
Volume - 750ml
About the Wine Maker 
Pierre Clair (with his wife Jennifer) decided in 2006 to take over the vineyards of the grandfather, owner of a small plot of land of 30 acres in Corpeau at the southern end of the Côte d'Or. Beautiful encounters with pioneers of natural wine led them on this beautiful adventure. To date, other plots are exploited for a total of 3.5 ha. Their philosophy revolves around respect for nature through biological and biodynamic interventions in the vineyards, and also respect for wine through the absence of oenological products and the search for the purity of juices.
"Pierre Clair has worked as chef de culture at prestigious biodynamic property Domaine de Marquis d’Angerville..., having previously held this position at Domaine de Montille. During his spare time, he runs Clair Obscur demonstrating dedication to his family vines consisting of 0.4ha in Corpeau down the slopes of Chassagne and Puligny plus plots recently acquired in Maranges. Pinot noir, aligoté and chardonnay vines are meticulously tended by the passionate Pierre, applying all the experience gained over the years and taking that extra risk in the cellar.
Wine has been made in the Clair family since 1962, when it simply was a nourishing beverage part of a convivial meal or celebration. In this spirit Pierre vinifies using whole bunches, old barriques and without additives. A pinch of sulphur will occasionally be added at bottling if ever the test à l’air was unsuccessful.
Clearly Pierre is an accomplished and highly skilled vigneron, his ambition to vinify in the most natural way possible has led him to make some of the best Burgundy wines we have ever come across: full of joy, vibrant and pure with an amazing precision."
Wine Trail
