1993 Domaine Georges Roumier Musigny

Georges Roumier et Fils is a 40-acre estate in Chambolle Musigny in Burgundy’s Cote de Nuits. Founded in 1924 by Georges Roumier, it is now run by the family’s second and third generation winemakers, father Jean-Marie and son Christophe. The wines produced include the Grand Crus Le Musigny, Bonnes-Mares and Corton-Charlemagne, as well as Premier Crus in Chambolle-Musigny, which are Les Amoureuses, Les Combettes, and Les Cras. The estate also has a monopole Premier Cru in Morey-Saint-Denis, which is Clos de la Bussiere. Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that the domaine “is undoubtedly one of the finest sources of classic, long-lived red burgundies….All aspects of the estate’s winemaking are completely traditional.”

Musigny is considered one of the greatest vineyards in the Cote d’Or, in Burgundy. At 26.5 acres it includes two sections, Grand Musigny and Les Petits Musigny. The vineyard is 260 to 300 meters in elevation and the soil is unusual for the region, a mix of limestone and red clay. Comte de Vogue owns about three-quarters of the vineyard, with a holding of 17 acres. The next largest landowners are Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, with 3.2 acres; and Jacques Prieur with 1.7 acres. Also noteworthy is Leroy’s tiny .7 acre holding. Though most of the vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Comte de Vogue plants a small parcel of Chardonnay, which is sold as Bourgogne blanc due to the relatively youth of the Chardonnay vines. Wine writer Clive Coates has written that “at its best the red wine (of Musigny) can be quite simply the most delicious wine to be found in Burgundy.”

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.