As the only species in the plant kingdom, the vine is able to give us a taste of what the earth really tastes like. The grape as the perfect translator of the terroir!
This is the opening sentence on the homepage of the website of the domain of Frédéric and Jocelyne Mugnier and perfectly sums up the philosophy of winemaking here. Few are able to capture “the terroir” of the various “climats” that the domain possesses in such a subtle way.
In 1863, the Mugnier family owned some 20 hectares of vineyards in and around Chambolle-Musigny. However, due to the crisis after the 2nd World War, they are obliged to lease a large part of their vineyards to a well-known trading house in Nuits-Saint-Georges. After 50 years, this agreement expires in 2003 and it is Frédéric, who has been fully responsible for the domain since 1978, who brought about this return.
No mean feat if you know that at that time the domain only owns 4 ha in Chambolle-Musigny and with the arrival of the Monopole Nuits-Saint-Georges “Clos dela Maréchale” suddenly 9.55 ha is added. As a result, the domain triples in surface area and serious investments are made in new cellars and personnel. This allows the domain, already one of the best domains of the Côte de Nuits, to considerably increase the quality of the work in its vineyards. All of the domain's wines combine strength with finesse.
Little new barrel is used and each wine bears the "signature" of Frédéric, whereby purity in the expression of the fruit and the terroir are key concepts. The tannins are of an exceptional delicacy and the wines all have a very high aging potential. Those who get the chance should drink this once in their life to understand the magic of the Côte de Nuits.