Product Description
Domaine Michel Magnien has evolved into a Burgundy producer of a singular style and philosophy from their cellars located in the village of Morey-Saint-Denis. Morey-Saint-Denis is in Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits between Gevrey-Chambertin to its north and Chambolle-Musigny to its south. The domaine’s 45 acres are spread across the villages of Morey-Saint-Denis, Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, and Vosne Romanée, with holdings in several premier cru and grand cru vineyards, including grand crus Clos de la Roche, Clos Saint-Denis, and Charmes-Chambertin. Holdings are concentrated in Morey-Saint-Denis, where there are also parcels in the premier crus of Les Chaffots, Les Millandes, Les Blanchards, Aux Charmes, and Climats d’Or. Frédéric Magnien maintains an average vine age of 50 years. Michel Magnien was born in 1946 and worked alongside his father Bernard from a young age. The Magniens sold their grapes to the local cooperative until 1993 when his son Frédéric joined the family business and persuaded his father to bottle the entire harvest by themselves. Frédéric Magnien began experimenting with organic practices in the late 1990s and the entire production was certified biodynamic by Demeter in 2015. Frédéric has also evolved the style of the wines and today élevage takes place in used oak and clay jars.
Les Chaffot’s higher elevation results in a wine with bright acidity and a leaner profile than Clos-Saint-Denis which sits below it. The vineyard’s soil is like that of Clos de la Roche, and its rocky terroir delivers a slightly austere wine with a strong mineral backbone. Discreet but not invisible wood highlights extremely pretty and relatively upper register red Pinot fruit aromas that are liberally laced with earth and a hint of oak spice that precedes rich, round and quite supple medium-bodied flavors that are fresh and energetic on a vibrant palate finish.