The Tb points given to this wine are the world’s most valid and most up-to-date evaluation of the quality of the wine. Tastingbook points are formed by the Tastingbook algorithm which takes into account the wine ratings of the world's 50 best-known professional wine critics, wine ratings by thousands of tastingbook’s professionals and users, the generally recognised vintage quality and reputation of the vineyard and winery. Wine needs at least five professional ratings to get the Tb score. Tastingbook.com is the world's largest wine information service which is an unbiased, non-commercial and free for everyone.
Wine Description
The Story
Musigny Grand Cru produces yields one of the best grapes in the entire Burgundy. Its terroir is much more complex than Clos de Vougeot lying just below of it. Musigny is known for its super elegant and feminine characteristics, but this hot vintage gave this fine “lady” some extra muscles that has given an extra dimension to it and structure to last for long.
The village of Chambolle-Musigny lies in the very heart of the Côte de Nuits. The Musigny vineyards lie above the Clos de Vougeot between the Premier Cru climat Les Amoureuses and the Grand Cru Échezeaux. The altitude varies from 260 to nearly 300 m. The southern portion rises towards the plot known as Combe d'Orveau which marks the boundary between Musigny and Flagey-Échezeaux.
The Musigny family, which gave its name to the appellation, is now extinct but held important posts at the court of the Dukes of Burgundy in the 14th century. The boundaries of the USIGNY appellation were formally laid down on 16 April 1929, before the advent of the AOC system. It has always been a Grand Cru.
The gradient on this rocky limestone terrace is quite steep (8-14%). The soils, though not deep, are enriched by red clay in the upper section and are generally more clayey and less limey than the neighbouring Grands Crus. The rocks are of Jurassic origin (approx. 150 million years BC).
Red: this brilliant scion of the Côte de Nuits family has a preference for meat - natural enough given the power of its tannins and the lingering complexity of its aromas. But its individuality rests on the breadth of its sensuality in the mouth and the distinction that results from this. This lends it a particular affinity for fine poultry (roasted or stuffed) and feathered game in sauce, braised or - better still - patiently roasted. Glazed duck and crispy roast lamb would be at ease with this iconic burgundy, while cheeses like Cîteaux, Coulommiers or Brie de Meaux will also respond to its generous character.
Serving temperature: 14 to 16 °C
White: if by good fortune you should ever find yourself in the presence of a white Musigny, match it with only the most delicate of dishes - lobster, crawfish, or freshwater crayfish with a butter, cream, and truffle sauce (sauce nantua).
Serving temperature: 12 to 14 °C
Vintage 1993
In Burgundy 1993, an early flowering in the month of June, was followed by a wet early July before a hot dry August. The reds of 1993 are outstanding. They are powerful and concentrated with a firm backbone of ripe tannins. The whites although austere to begin with and slow to evolve have developed into magnificent well structured, powerful wines. A vintage that produced wines built for ageing.
Once again, expectations were high in Burgundy for the 1993 harvest. The flowering was as early as that of 1990 (from 6-11 June) and August was very hot and dry . Despite the bad weather during the second half of June and first ten days of July, with rain and notably hail in the Meurault 1er Cru vineyards of Genevrères, Charmes and Perrières. Burgundy was looking forward to an early harvest of high quality.
The 'ban des vendanges' was set for the 15th September in the Côte de Beaune and 17th in the Côte de Nuits.
As has so often been the case, it was extremely important to undertake a crop thinning in 1993; for those domaines which did not, yields were high and sugar levels mediocre.
The intensity of colour in the red wine and a correct balance between acidity and tannins allow us to hope for wines of an above average quality. The vineyard which were harvested before the rains are particularly rich and elegant. Fortunately, the small berry size of the grapes meant a greater resistance to grey rot which could so easily have been a problem, with the wet weather.
For the whites, the deterioration of the weather in the Côte d'Or prevented the Chardonnay grape from reaching perfect maturity but the wines will nonetheless be pleasant.