2005 J.F. Mugnier Chambolle-Musigny

Domaine Jacques Frederic Mugnier is comprised of nearly 40 acres in Chambolle-Musigny, in Burgundy. The domain has the second largest holding of vines in the Musigny vineyard, which makes it a major landholder in the region. Only its neighbor Comte de Vogue has a larger holding in the prestigious Musigny vineyard. Domaine J.F. Mugnier was founded in 1863 when Frederic Mugnier, a spirits dealer from Dijon, purchased land in Chambolle-Musigny. The domaine has remained in the family through the generations, though the size of the domaine has changed. Today the domaine is run by Frederic Mugnier, who was an airline pilot and oil engineer before devoting himself full time to the family enterprise. J.F. Mugnier’s wines “are some of the most delicious, intriguing Pinot Noirs in Burgundy,” according to Robert M. Parker Jr. "Especially noteworthy are the Grand Crus, Musigny and Bonnes Mares."

Côte de Nuits is the northern part of the Côte d’Or and it includes the most famous vineyards and wine communes in the world. There are more Grand Cru appellations in the Côte de Nuits than anywhere else in Burgundy. Of the fourteen communes, or villages in the Côte de Nuits, six produce Grand Cru wines. They are Gevrey-Chambertin, Morey-St.-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, Vougeot, Flagey-Échezeaux and Vosne-Romanee. Some of the vineyards within the Côte de Nuits are tiny, which adds to their prestige. The fabled Grand Cru vineyard La Romanee is barely two square acres. Altogether there are twenty-four Grand Cru vineyards. The region takes its name from the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges. Côtes de Nuits produces mostly reds from Pinot Noir, and the wines have been in demand for centuries. During the 18th century King Louis XIV’s physician recommended that for his health the king only drink wines from Nuits-Saint-Georges. Like most of Burgundy, the soils of the Côte de Nuit can vary greatly from one vineyard to another, though most are a base soil of limestone mixed with clay, gravel and sand.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.