Domaine Jacques Frédéric Mugnier - Musigny 2018
Located at Château de Chambolle-Musigny, Domaine Jacques Frédéric Mugnier crafts wines of precision where the purity of Pinot Noir meets the chalky grace of the Côte de Nuits. Here, each plot is worked with almost clockwork-like precision, harvested at perfect ripeness, then vinified with measured intervention to preserve the vibrancy of the fruit and the transparency of the terroir. On the Grand Cru Musigny, an iconic site overlooking the village, the estate seeks an expression that is both ethereal and profound, the true quintessence of Chambolle.
The 2018 Musigny was born from a sunny vintage that required precise harvest dates to achieve a balance of density and freshness. The grapes were meticulously sorted, the majority of which was destemmed, and then placed in vats for gentle, spontaneous fermentation. Extractions were kept delicate to preserve a silky mouthfeel. Aging took place in lightly toasted oak barrels with a controlled proportion of new oak, enough to shape the wine without overpowering its aromatics. Bottling was carried out without unnecessary artifice, respecting the texture and intrinsic energy of the wine.
The nose opens with a bouquet of rose petals, peony, and violet, soon joined by morello cherry, raspberry, and a touch of blood orange. Aeration reveals a deeper register of graphite, blond tobacco, and subtle cocoa that frames the whole. On the palate, the attack is direct, then the texture unfolds with a velvety density. The mid-palate marries ripe red and black fruits supported by a very fine chalky structure. The tannins are tight and silky, without harshness, and prolong a sensation of taut velvet. The finish is very long, fresh, and mouthwatering, with lingering notes of sweet spices, cherry pit, and a hint of flint that is characteristic of this vintage.
Grape variety: 100% Pinot Noir
