The Benchmark in Marsannay – Domaine Jean Fournier’s Brilliant 2023s

The Future of Marsannay Is Here

For those of us who pay attention to the warming that Burgundy has seen in the last two decades and more, Marsannay has become impossible to ignore—the areas on the edges have become more successful year in and year out, to the benefit of Marsannay. Perhaps no estate has done more to define the quality and realize the potential of the appellation than Domaine Jean Fournier.

The Fournier name has been tied to this northern stretch of the Côte de Nuits since the 1600s. What began with humble vine parcels worked by Henri Fournier in “Les Longeroies” evolved into one of the region’s most respected domaines under the guidance of his son Jean, who took over in 1962 at just 17. Jean was among the first to recognize the greatness of overlooked Marsannay terroirs like Clos du Roy and Le Chapitre, long before they were prized by the broader market.

Today, the domaine is led by Jean’s son Laurent, who has brought even greater focus and ambition to the family legacy. Since joining in 2001, he’s transformed Fournier into a model of organic, low-intervention farming and traditional Burgundian winemaking. He remains one of the leading advocates for Marsannay’s elevation within the Côte de Nuits, working tirelessly to have its top vineyards recognized as Premier Crus. See below for what Neal Martin from Vinous has to say about the quality here. The wines are still under the radar but won’t be for much longer.

The 2023 vintage is a perfect snapshot of everything Fournier represents: deep respect for history, a clear commitment to terroir, and a humble but unwavering pursuit of excellence. These are wines of purity, energy, and site-specific character—Burgundies that consistently overperform and age with grace. Marsannay has no 1er or Grand Cru vineyards, but the lieu dits produced by Fournier are considered among the best of the region and, in my humble opinion, should be a candidate for elevation to 1er Cru any time now. These prices for real red Burgundy are very good, and if you consider that the quality is of 1er Cru level, for just a touch over $50, this is a no-brainer.

We’ve just received our limited allocation of Fournier’s 2023s, and this is one of the strongest lineups we've seen from the domaine. These wines represent the pinnacle of what Marsannay can offer—and, at these prices, they remain among the smartest buys in Burgundy. Quantities are limited. Don’t wait.