Maison Frédéric Magnien
Morey-Saint-Denis | Côte de Nuits | Burgundy
Of all our Burgundy producers, Frédéric Magnien, with his impressive selection of historic premier cru and grand cru terroirs, offers the most complete experience for those passionate about Burgundy wines.
For those just beginning their exploration, Magnien Burgundy is the ideal gateway to truly understanding the myriad tastes that this wine region promises. Each of Magnien’s many exemplary crus brings you closer to the true meaning of terroir—whether the orange essence of grand cru Echezeaux or the chocolaty core of Morey ‘Millandes.’
And for those who have already been seduced by all that is Burgundy, Magnien offers a lifetime of exploration into the region’s most impressive and rare vineyards, now all within reach.
Frédéric is a fifth-generation winemaker from Morey-Saint-Denis, and Burgundy is the family’s lifeblood. Learning the craft first from his father, Michel Magnien (of Domaine Michel Magnien), Fred also traveled to California and Australia to hone his talents before returning home and starting his own négociant domaine in his native village.
There’s no question that Magnien knows every nook and cranny of Burgundy by heart. As a child, he used these vineyards as his off-road bicycle course, riding through premier and grand cru plots. As a winemaker, Magnien still rides his bike through the fields to greet growers at first light; his are long-lasting partnerships based on trust and respect.
Magnien has also fruther refined the role of négociant given his tight connections to growers in Burgundy. His long-standing relationships involve his own teams tending vines according to organic and biodynamic practices throughout the growing season, During the harvest, it is also his teams who cut grapes by hand and transfer them carefully to his cellar in Morey-Saint-Denis. This level of attention means quality is assured from field to bottle, and makes his small-batch wines the treasures that they are.
FARMING & WINEMAKING
As a négociant, Magnien differentiates himself in that he works closely with his partner vine growers throughout the year, selecting mostly older-vine parcels that are cared for to his exacting standards and by his own vineyard teams. His teams also pick the grapes at harvest, a further qualitative step. (Most négociants buy juice, not grapes.) Most of the vineyards Magnien works with are either certified organic or in the process of conversion — yet all vineyards are cared for according to organic principles. (Labels as of the 2022 vintage help clarify these differences. A full, round sun on a label means a wine that is certified organic; a half-sun means a vineyard that is cared for organically but that is not certified.)
In the cellar, grapes are usually destemmed and always fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks. Magnien typically ages his wines in a combination of older François Frères oak barrels and terracotta containers, either small “eggs” or traditional amphora, ranging in size from 320L to 750L. This allows his wines to reflect more purity of fruit and terroir character, Magnen maintains. All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered according to the lunar cycle, and with limited added sulfites.
Crémant de Bourgogne Blanc de Noirs Extra Brut
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Bourgogne Blanc
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Marsannay Blanc 'Saint-Jacques' (Pinot Blanc)
Marsannay is one of Burgundy’s coolest villages, and this rare 100% Pinot Blanc from older vines in particular is all freshness and energy. ‘Saint-Jacques’ sits up near the forest line, at altitude.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Meursault
A thrilling snapshot of pure Meursault energy and silk, with characteristic nutty intensity and a sweeping, golden finish. A selection of fruit from organically tended vineyards in this treasured Cote de Beaune village.
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Meursault 'Coeur de Roches'
We’ve always been impressed with Magnien’s terroir chops. He seems to know every secret corner where a modest villages plot boasts grand-cru quality soils! Here in ‘Coeur du Roches,’ he’s selected older-vine fruit from a handful of select Meursault vineyards to highlight what rocky, limestone rich terroir can do. (Roches, in French, are rocks.) Impressive structure with finesse; stony energy and lots of freshness. A lovely, seductive Meursault!
- Download fact sheet (2019 vintage) (PDF)
Meursault 'Peutes Vignes'
In the northeast corner of Meursault, ‘Peutes Vignes’ touches premier cru vineyards and enjoys a moderate slope, for a wine of plush and tangy stone fruits and citrus zest.
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Chassagne-Montrachet
A picture-perfect example of the delicate aromas and flavorful, citrus-inspired fruit of the best of Chassagne. Organically raised, a wine that sings in the glass.
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Puligny-Montrachet
A succulent, older-vine selection of peerless Burgundian Chardonnay from top villages-level vineyards, cared for organically. A picture-perfect Puligny, with ripe citrus and herbal, mineral energy.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Puligny-Montrachet 'Meix'
Villages-level vineyard ‘Meix’ sits west of the village upslope, touching premier cru ‘Pucelles’ on its western border (Bienvenue-Batard Montrachet also neighbors ‘Pucelles.’) More intensity and more depth, with characteristic Puligny herbs and energy. A ‘meix’ is a medieval French word that describes a rural home with multiple buildings, that adjoins a garden or orchard.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Bourgogne Pinot Noir
Bourgogne Côte d'Or 'Gravièrs'
Cool, red-fruit flavors and smooth tannins. Sourced from a single vineyard in Chambolle-Musigny called ‘Graviers,’ not far from villages-level vineyard ‘Les Herbues.’ Pinot Noir here comes with a refined, mineral edge and concentration is spectacular, sourced from older vines. (As of the 2021 vintage, this Bourgogne Rouge wine is now classified as Bourgogne Côte d’Or.)
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Côte de Nuits-Villages Rouge ‘Croix Violette’
‘Croix Violette’ is a small plot surrounded by a stone wall, neighboring an ancient cloister (the Violet Cross) in the village of Brochon. True to its name, fruit here is purple, regal, refined; very juicy and spiced. A classic Pinot Noir with poise and elegance.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Marsannay Rouge 'Saint-Jacques'
One of the Cote de Nuits’ northernmost villages, Marsannay is a cool character and a treasure trove for hidden terroir that makes Pinot Noir magic. ‘Saint-Jacques’ sits high up at the forest line, on nearly solid limestone soils. Chiseled and pure yet also full-bodied and plush, this is an outperforming red wine from a modest Burgundy village now ready for its closeup.
Marsannay Rouge 'Longeroies'
At the northern end of the Côte de Nuits, the village of Marsannay is one of Burgundy’s coolest. ‘Longeroies’ borders historic vineyard ‘Clos du Roy,’ facing east on a gentle slope. Full-bodied, generous yet lively, fine-grained tannins.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Fixin 'Clos Marion'
Sourced from a special monopole vineyard on the border with Brochon, ‘Clos Marion’ is a suave and silky Pinot Noir, with tons of earthy Fixin character.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Fixin 'Crais de Chene'
A vineyard at the border with Couchey, this northern Fixin plot blends limestone marl and colored clays for a supple and structured Pinot Noir. Chene in French means oak tree; it is said that this plot was once covered with them.
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Morey-Saint-Denis 'Coeur d'Argile'
“Argile” in French means clay; this beneficial terroir especially amid a warming climate is a boon for Pinot Noir vines, as it retains water, allowing vines to remain hydrated even in the warmer summer months. A selection of older-vine fruit from villages-level vineyards rich in clay soils. A wonderfully silky, supple Pinot Noir with lovely texture on the palate.
Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes
A selection from four parcels, with an average vine age of 50 years. ‘Aux Allots,’ ‘Aux Saints-Juliens,’ ‘Aux Tuyaux’ and ‘Aux Herbues’ are all on the Vosne side of the village, giving this wine a touch of Vosne purple nobility with a whole lot of earthy, Nuits intensity. A lovely wine and a surprise treasure for the cellar.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes
A bold, earthy and perfectly Gevrey selection of older-vine fruit from the village’s top terroirs. Dark fruited and spiced, with extraordinary energy throughout.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Jeunes Rois’
The ‘Jeunes Rois’ vineyard, facing east, is located in Brochon, at the border of Gevrey-Chambertin. Soils are stony and poor; the vineyard is surrounded by a stone wall which traps heat, helping grapes to ripen. ‘Jeunes Rois’ in French means “young kings.”
- Download fact sheet (2018 vintage) (PDF)
Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Clos Prieur’
‘Clos Prieur’ was once the property of the Abbey of Cluny. The upper part (‘haute’) of this plot is rated premier cru; the downslope portion (‘bas’) is one of the more highly prized villages plots in Gevrey. Aromas of black cherry, red plum, peppery spice. Earthy and structured, with good complexity.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes
A love letter to the purpled fruit and silky tannins of Chambolle. A selection of older-vine fruit from villages-level plots in Chambolle-Musigny: ‘Les Babillères,’ ‘Les Condemennes’ (which borders premier cru ‘Charmes’) and ‘Les Danguerrins,’ high up at the forest line. Juicy and supple; layers of black fruits alternate with notes of chocolate.
Vosne-Romanée Vieilles Vignes
A selection from three older-vine plots in Vosne: ‘Aux Raviolles,’ ‘Au Dessus de la Rivere’ and ‘Aux Ormes,’ with a mix of clay and limestone soils, mostly east-facing. Aromas of blackberry, red cherry, minerals. Juicy and spicy; lots of fresh, red/black fruit.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Vosne-Romanée 'Maizières'
‘Maizières’ is a vineyard split between an “upper” and “lower” section, extending from Vosne into Flagey-Echezeaux. Well-placed, it sits just under premier cru ‘Suchots’ and is a stone’s throw from the border of grand cru Clos du Vougeot. A true insider’s Vosne and one that well outshines its villages status. A great bottle for the cellar, and a value to boot.
Vosne-Romanée 'Champs Perdrix'
‘Champs Perdrix’ touches Vosne premier cru vineyards to the north, and legendary grand crus La Tâche and Romanée-Conti to the east. Soils here echo the rockiness of La Tâche, with a touch more sand. A juicy, spicy Vosne villages wine with aromas of blackberry, light-roast coffee and plenty of rocky, mineral nuance.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru 'Damodes'
‘Damodes’ sits on the village border with Vosne-Romanée, not far from grand cru monopole La Tâche. East-facing; soils are shallow and rocky, with pure limestone sub-soils. The name ‘Damodes’ comes from “dame” or lady; legend has it that benevolent fairies lived in the forest above the vineyard.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Clos Sorbè'
‘Clos Sorbè’ is a premier-cru vineyard in the heart of the village, between ‘Clos Baulet’ and ‘Les Sorbè,’ facing east. Soils are rich in marl, with many white stones, a result of the gradual erosion of the “mother rock” of Burgundian limestone. A richly structured yet still supple Burgundian Pinot Noir with a great capacity to age.
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Clos Baulet'
Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru 'Ruchots'
In the south of the village at the border with Chambolle, ‘Ruchots’ sits just under grand cru monopole Clos de Tart and grand cru Bonnes Mares. The vineyard’s location in a small valley means cooler winds from the north inspire a special microclimate, allowing a slower, longer ripening. Soils are thin and iron-rich; subsoils are pure “mother rock” limestone.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 'Lavaut Saint-Jacques'
Above the village proper, ‘Lavaux Saint-Jacques’ faces southeast at the mouth of the Gevrey combe, or valley. Vines here feed directly from Burgundy’s mother rock of limestone, a few inches from the surface. One of Gevrey’s more noble and structured premier crus.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru 'Petit Chapelle'
What a treasure! ‘Petit Chapelle’ sits just under grand cru Chapelle-Chambertin on the “golden” slope in Gevrey. Aromas of rose petals, spice, warm earth. Concentrated and layered; cranberry, black cherry, light herbs. A beautiful Pinot Noir today, a legend in the making.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 'Les Fuées'
‘Fuées’ is a very special plot, situated high up on the slope in Chambolle and directly bordering grand cru Bonnes Mares. Soils here are very similar to Bonnes Mares: lots of limestone rocks and fossils. A “fuée” is a Burgundian term that designates the amount of land one laborer can work (with a hoe) in a single day. Incredible concentration and intensity here.
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 'Feusselottes'
‘Feusselotes’ sits in the heart of the village. Soils are primarily red silt, decomposed limestone and clay, from the “combe” or valley above Chambolle. This richly mineral, ruddy terroir, Magnien tells us, gives the wine its structure and ability to age; richly floral and wonderfully smooth, this is a classic Chambolle that will only improve with time.
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 'Baudes'
East-facing, ‘Baudes’ sits just across the road from grand cru Bonnes Mares. Magnien selects older vines at the bottom of this premier cru slope, at the border with premier cru ‘Sentiers,’ where the soils are deeper, a mix of marl and gravel. This terroir combination, Magnien claims, gives this wine a deeper, more concentrated profile, with aromas of black cherry and rich, earthy nuance.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 'Borniques'
‘Borniques’ borders grand cru Musigny and sits just above premier cru ‘Amoureuses.’ East-facing; soils are nearly identical to grand cru Musigny, with limestone and veins of white and yellow clay. Concentrated, with layers and layers of flavor; always a favorite for the cellar.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru 'Charmes' Vieilles Vignes
‘Charmes’ faces east and sits at the same altitude and not far from premier cru ‘Amoureuses.’ Soils here are thin, with the “mother rock” just a few inches from the surface.
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru
A selection of fruit from vines on the lower slope of this grand cru vineyard, where soils are mostly limestone gravel, deep and mineral. Gorgeous texture and layers of flavor.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 'Aux Charmes'
A selection of very old vines (some 100+ years) from lieu-dit ‘Aux Charmes’ (bordering grand cru Chambertin). East-facing; soils are ruddy and iron-rich, with limestone boulders underneath. This certainly lives up to its name (with an echo!) with creamy, pleasing red fruit and high-toned berry fruit aromas.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru 'Aux Mazoyères'
An extension of Charmes-Chambertin proper, Mazoyères-Chambertin borders Morey-Saint-Denis. East-facing; soils are ruddy, iron-rich and deep, with large stones. All the grace and suave texture you would expect from Charmes with more purple fruited-depth and structured tannins.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Echezeaux Grand Cru
in ‘Les Rouges’ and the upper portion of ‘Orveaux,’ are the deepest, with limestone marl and stones; the broad spectrum of terroir
represented by this selection offers a complete picture of the true Echezeaux.
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Bonnes Mares Grand Cru
- Download fact sheet (PDF)
Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Does this legendary grand cru really need an introduction? Planted in the year 630 by Burgundian monks, Chambertin-Clos de Bèze is truly a piece of Burgundy history. A rare gem and a cellar treasure.
- Download fact sheet (2022 vintage) (PDF)
Chambertin Grand Cru
One of Gevrey’s most prized grand cru vineyards, Chambertin represents the pinnacle of Pinot Noir in the Cote de Nuits. Soils are rich in limestone scree, lots of loose rocks, very mineral-rich. Chambertin was Napoleon’s favorite wine, which he made sure traveled with him during all his campaigns; Thomas Jefferson also was an avid fan, bringing bottles to the White House in 1803. A symphony of floral aromas, rose and violets, with a concentrated, layered palate and endless finish.
Winemaker: Frédéric Magnien
Region: France • Burgundy • Côte de Nuits • Morey-Saint-Denis
CERTIFIED ORGANIC
