HAPPY PATAILLE DAY (etc etc etc)
by Daniel Long
·
Source note: This post is adapted from Parched's June 25, 2026 newsletter
G’day,
Apparently it’s warm, how about some vinous hydration?
We just received a juicy allocation from Sylvain Pataille - one of our favourite producers to consume in house en-masse. I had the pleasure of crashing an appointment in Sylvain’s cellar a couple of years ago. He’d definitely said yes but we did get some odd looks at first when we stumbled down the stairs into his cellar in Marsannay. Things did warm up and a plethora of wines were tasted from cask and bottle. He’s an interesting dude, full mad scientist vibes and someone I would 100% trust with a fermentation.
Aligoté his is main vice, crafting mythical expressions with a variety that is so often a workhorse and responsible for a tonne of average booze. Pataille’s wines are full of verve, texture and a sense of place.
I remember when I first started getting serious with wine we’d have these dinners and if someone brought red Burgundy that wasn’t from the Cote de Nuits they’d be made pariah and rinsed on repeat, but how times change. I can no longer justify letting loose on a random Tuesday and being able to rock up to work at 8am like nothing happened, and I also find myself reaching for Marsannay over La Tache more often than not…
L’Ancestrale is YOY one of my picks from the region if you are more of a classic buck hunter, and priced accordingly. Yet from humble Bourgogne Rouge up, as with the white wines, you’re blessed with vitality, freshness and a perfume that is so often missing in wines from this neck of the woods as the summers get warmer.
On the event front there are just 4 seats left at this dinner in early July - I was a bit worried the wines wouldn’t arrive but we’ve just received the email to say things are all good.
Pls come, it’s me hosting :)
And how about that VIP chat, because who doesn’t want top tier status?
On the second Wednesday of each month, beginning this July, we’ll be throwing an exclusive 14 seat dinner party to celebrate the landing of fresh wines from our favourite producers. I like the idea (came up with it myself) and figured I’d better start things off hot….
Join us (if you’re quick) to an evening of wine from Damien Guadagnolo and a Jura-centric menu in Side Piece. A glimpse into my DM exchanges with Damien over the past three years could inspire a very one sided romance novel but as it happens, persistence pays off. Two years ago I drove over to Orbagna to collect a few cases from the great man, which felt like quite the feat. So imagine my surprise at finally received an allocation invoice that was worthy of using a shipping company to bring in.
We’ll be pouring 5 of Damien’s wines, and the ticket price includes your meal as well as your choice of 2 take away bottles on the night. Sounds half decent.
You can peruse the whole range here, but I’d be quick, some cuvees are really limited as per and there are some thirsty people in the warehouse today…
Back to the fridge I go
xoxo
Dan