“Of all the vegetable kingdom, only the vine makes the true savour of the earth understandable to us. What loyalty in the rendition !
The vine knows the secrets of the soil and communicates them through the grapes. Through the vine, flint lets us know that it is a living thing, fusible and nourishing.
The barren chalk cries golden tears of wine… “
Colette
Domaine Jacques Frederic Mugnier Chambolle Musigny
The soft spoken Frederic Mugnier, the fifth generation of the family, heads the Domaine since 1985. Prior to taking over his family estate Frederic was an offshore engineer and even worked as a commercial pilot.
For a generation all of the vines were leased to others. Clos de la Marechale was a flagship wine for Faiveley for well over 50 years. Frederic has since taken control of all his holdings which includes Musigny and Bonnes Mares Grand Cru, Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses and Les Fuees Premier Cru, Clos de la Marechale Premier Cru and Chambolle-Musigny.
The Domaine is the second largest owner of Le Musigny. Part was planted in 1948 and the remainder in 1962, so this is now an old vine cuvée throughout. Just 20-25% new wood is used in this ethereal wine which is as sumptuous as any example of Musigny, despite Frédéric’s understated handling.
Chambolle Musigny
It is a very smart buy which is why the wine is so difficult to source. Chambolle-Musigny is assembled from two named plots of vines:– – La Combe d’Orveau, covering approximately 0.77 hectares (1.9 acres) was planted over several periods from 1952 to 1998 and the Premier Cru plot of Les Plantes, covering approximately 0.56 hectares (1.4 acres) and planted in 1968-69 which Frederick chooses to blend with this wine which makes it very special.
This wine is recognisable by its intense bouquet which is simultaneously fruity, floral and very delicate. To complement the aromas, the wine has a supple structure that is always light and fine; the finish is long and blossoming on the palate.
Key words to describe our Chambolle Musigny include subtlety, delicacy, but equally charm, joy, brilliance. The wine captivates and the memory will linger forever.
Nuits St Georges Premier Cru Clos de la Marechale
This is a very special vineyard situated between Comblanchien and Premeaux. It has a wall on all 4 sides which is why its called a Clos (meaning enclosure in French). The Cistercian monks often walled important vineyards. This helped to protect the vineyard from theft and sometimes even influenced the microclimate. In addition to being a Clos it is also owned exclusively by the Mugnier family, since 1902 when they bought it from the Marey Monge family, which makes it a monopole. Le Clos is a 9 ha 76 ares plot. It has the distinction of being the largest monopole in Côte d'Or.
Clos de la Maréchale finally returned back to the control of the Mugnier family after the rental contract with Faiveley ended after 53 years on 1st November, 2003.
The geological stratum on which the Clos de la Maréchale is situated is the same as in Le Montrachet. That combined with an average age of 60 years for the vines and Fredy’s magical touch makes this a personal favourite.