Domaine Michel Magnien

There is often confusion about the difference between the wines of Domaine Michel Magnien and those of Frédéric Magnien. Michel Magnien was a grower for years, land-rich with an extensive nsumber of noble terroirs that he inherited from his forebears. His holdings include plots in Lorey-Saint-Denis, Gevrey Chambertain, Chambolle Musigny and Vosne Romanee. Grand crus include Charmes Chambertin, Clos de la Roche, Chapelle Chambertin, Clos Saint Denis and Bonnes Mares. For years Michel was a grower and only bottle part of his production. Starting in the early 1990s, all of his production was entrusted to his son Frédéric, a winemaker that one French wine critic called "one of the most enterprising and innovative vignerons of his generation." Frédéric makes all the wines for his father's domaine, as well as wines under his own negociant label. By law, Frédéric's wines have always been made in a completely different facility. Some of the appellations are different at the two domaine and thus the primary difference between the two names is simply one of grape sources. All of the Domaine Michel Magnien wines are from vineyards owned directly by Frédéric's father Michel, whereas all but two of the wines labeled as Frédéric Magnien are from purchased grapes (but not from purchased must or finished wine). (from www.burghound.com). Frederic founded his negociant house in 1995 and makes many different wines, mainly red from the Cote de Nuits. He also makes white burgundy from the Cote d'Or and Chablis.

A new winery was constructed for Michel Magnien in the late 1990s adjacent to his house, but ancient timbers used in the construction contained bacteria that tainted the entire production of the 1997 and 1998 vintages - all of the wines from these vintages were either repurchased if released or discarded. The winery is now operational.

Magnien's limited primary and grand cru wines are a must for the serious wine lover, but the village wines too are not to be missed.