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Wine Description
The Story
Le Musigny is considered by serious wine writers to be one of the greatest red wines of Burgundy, alongside le Chambertin, le Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze, la Tâche and la Romanée-Conti. A preference for one or other of these wines can only be due to personality and circumstance.
Our parcel of de 1.14 ha (2.8 acres) is entirely situated within the part known as « Grand-Musigny ».
All of the vines were planted between 1947 and 1962, with the exception of only a small area (15%) replanted in 1997. The grapes from this part are declassified and are included in the Chambolle-Musigny « village » appellation. Therefore the only wine that we produce under Le Musigny appellation is from old vines.
Annual production varies between 2000 and 5000 bottles.
The composition of the soil varies in as one climbs the slope. Lower down the slope it is similar in structure to "Les Amoureuses" vineyard, although the underlying rock is more fissured. This allows the vine roots to explore deeper while enabling faster drainage .The upper part of the slope is primarily composed of a marl soil, lightened by large masses of friable oolitic limestone, this ensures good moisture reserves. The overall result is a drought-resistant vineyard that can also shrug off the September rain, the grapes are guaranteed to be completely mature every year and without irregularities.
The Wine
Le Musigny shares certain characteristics with its neighbour Les Amoureuses; the elegance of richness without heaviness, and it has a similar palette of aromatic composition, although in the case of the Musigny, the underlying structure is less vibrant, more steady, with exceptional depth and intensity of flavour. The length of the finish on the palate is incomparable.
The sommelier's advice
This great wine will open up slowly. Ten years are a strict minimum to allow full development. The ageing potential in the really great vintages is almost without limit.
Vintage 1989
1989 VINTAGE in Burgundy
Weather conditions were exceptional which led to a notably early harvest with perfectly ripened grapes in both colours. The reds with their velvety tannins have a fine colour, showing softer more elegant tendencies than the 88?s. They make a wonderful choice to drink on a special occasion. The whites in general were very precocious; ripe, powerful, rich, generous and well rounded; most should already have been drunk but the Grand Crus are superb for drinking now and over the next few years.
As regards the style of the 1989's, we now have one or two general impressions. The white wines are of great class. The Chardonnay in Burgundy has produced wines with ripe, powerful aromas and rich, generous body tending, in certain cases, almost to unctuosity. Initial comparisons have been drawn with 1971 and perhaps 1964.
The ripening of the Pinot Noir crop was somewhat hindered in several areas by unexpectedly large quantities of second generation grapes and extremely dry conditions. The resulting natural sugar levels were slightly lower than the recent yardstick year, 1985, but the fruit was in perfect condition. Overall quality will be good to very good.
The red wines have fine, deep colour and quite vinous, concentrated fruity aromas. They are well constituted and round and should be capable of ageing well. Initial comparisons have been drawn with 1966 and 1979.
In the Beaujolais, the Gamay has yielded powerful, fleshy wines lacking perhaps the charm of textbook Beaujolais. The wines are reminiscent of the 1978's.