1. Since when has domaine Mugnier existed?

The domaine was founded in 1863 by Frederic Mugnier through the purchase of Chateau de Chambolle Musigny, a stately residence in the heart of the village of Chambolle-Musigny en Bourgogne with 4 hectares of very high-quality vineyards. In 1902, the vineyards were further expanded to include the Clos de Marechale vineyards. These were purchased at auction.

In 1855 Clos de Marechale was known as Clos des Fourches, in 1892 as Clos Marechale after which it was not until the 20th century that it was given its current name Clos de Marechale.

At the time, the total size of Chateau de Chambolle Musigny was about 20 hectares of vineyards within Chambolle Musigny and Nuits-Saint-Georges.

2. Was Chateau Chambolle de Musigny always owned by the Mugnier family after 1863?

Yes, but there was a court case where Mugnier had to prove that they owned the 'real' Chateau Chambolle de Musigny, as someone else claimed the name. The court case was won by Mugnier.

3. Did Mugnier always make wine?

Frederic Mugnier was a liqueur producer in Dijon. Since 1878, wines were made for his own use and sold under the name 'Chateau de Chambolle Musigny'.

Due to the economic conditions of the 1930s and World War II, Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, great-grandson of Frederic, sold the liqueur company in 1950 and leased the vineyards to Faiveley in Nuits-Saint-Georges.

This contract ended in 1978 after which Frederic Mugnier, Jacques-Frederic Mugnier's son, took charge of the restored estate. In 2004, the vineyards were further expanded to include the Clos de Marechale vineyards, also from the expiring lease with Faiveley.

From 1978 to 1984, the wines were made by Bruno Clair and sold to negociants. In 1984, Frederic Mugnier took over, so 1984 became the first vintage under the Mugnier label. 1985 was the first wine made by Frederic.

Frederic and Jocelyne Mugnier are in charge of the domain.

The domain consists of 4 hectares of vineyards in Chambolle and 10 hectares in Nuits-Saint-Georges. The Chambolle-Musigny vineyards include the Fuees vineyards with vines 60+ years old and the Amoureuses vineyards with vines 70+ years old. The grand cru vineyards of Bonnes Mares and Musigny, with vines from 1947 onwards, are of course Mugnier's most renowned parcels.

In Nuits-Saint-Georges are the 10 hectares of Clos de Marechale vineyards, from which both red and white wines are made,

After the Clos de Marechale vineyards were added back to the estate in 2004, the organisation was expanded and further professionalised.

Domaine Mugnier produces 7 red wines and 1 white wine.

The red wines are:
- Chambolle-Musigny villages. These wines are made from the vineyards Les Plantes and La Combe D'Orveaux with vines from 1952. Annual production 3000-7000 bottles.
- Chambolle-Musigny Les Fuees premier cru. The vineyard is located right next to Bonnes Mares. Annual production approx 1500-3500 bottles.
- Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses premier cru. A highly renowned and very popular wine with an annual production of 900-2700 bottles.
- Bonnes Mares - the famous Grand Cru with a mix of Vineyards that are 35 years and 60+ years old. Annual production 900-1500 bottles.
- Musigny - Mugnier's most famous wine and Grand Cru. And this wine is considered one of the best wines from Burgundy, on the level of Chambertin, Chambertin Clos de Beze, La Tache and La Romanee Conti. Vines aged 75+ years. Annual production 2000-5000 bottles.
- Clos de Marechale premier cru - The vines of these wines average 45+ years old.
- Nuits-Saint-Georges Clos des Fourches - This is not an existing vineyard, as the name disappeared in the 19th century and was replaced by Clos de Marechale. The wines of this cuvee are made from the young vines of the Clos de Marechale vineyards.

The white wine is:
- Clos de Marechale blanc premier cru - The making of white Clos de Marechale wines was ended over 50 years ago. But after finding some old white wines in Mugnier's cellars, it became clear that these vineyards lend themselves perfectly to making white wines. The first vintage was 2005.

6. With what vision are Mugnier's wines made?

That can be summed up in one word: terroir. But there is more, of course. Both in the vineyards and during vinfication, everything is geared towards letting nature do its job. Technological interventions are kept to a minimum. As much as possible is done by hand.

Protecting the grapes and vines is done on a preventive basis. By creating a healthy and rich ecosystem, diseases do not need to be eradicated, they just need to be in balance with the environment.

In this way, it is possible to harvest healthy and ripe grapes from the greatest terroirs in Burgundy.

7. Does Mugnier work biodynamically?

Frederic Mugnier is someone who does things his way and so does not follow fashion or what is mainstream. The last fertiliser was used in 1986, the last herbicides in 1990 and the last insecticides in 1995. All beginnings I is difficult and Mugnier too has experienced lower yields as a result, but that was only short-lived.

Mugnier tries to create a stable ecosystem in which nature is completely in balance.

8. What are the best vintages?

It depends on the wine, of course, but in general the following vintages of the last 25 years can be summed up as exceptionally good:

Red wines: 1999, 2002, 2005, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2019, 2020
White wines: 2009, 2010, 2014, 2017, 2020

9. How are Mugnier's wines rated by wine reviewers?

Il n'est donc pas surprenant que ces vins soient très appréciés et commentés.

Le Chambolle Musigny les Amoureuses, par exemple, obtient plus de 93 points, avec des pointes à 97 points chez Robert Parker. Le Musigny obtient même des notes maximales en 2015, entre autres. Jancis Robinson et Jasper Morris notent également presque sans exception des notes très élevées pour ce vin.

Notre favori est le Musigny 2005, auquel nous avons attribué la note maximale de 10/10.

 

Without a doubt, red wines are, as white wines should generally be drunk faster.

In particular, the Grand Cru's Bonnen Mares and especially the Le Musigny are good investment wines. They have already proven this in the past. Since the harvest in numbers of bottles is very limited, the wines are rare and with great years, the number quickly decreases if they are drunk and consumed. Besides the Grand Cru, the Premier Cru La Amoureuses is also an investment wine. This is mainly due to the reputation of this vineyard.

But the best thing, of course, is to enjoy these fabulous wines.