2022 Henri Magnien Gevrey-Chambertin, Cote de Nuits, France Hot on Sale

2022 Henri Magnien Gevrey-Chambertin, Cote de Nuits, France
Producer Note
Charles Magnien is the 12th generation to direct this 7.11 ha domaine that was founded in 1987 though vestiges of the family’s involvement in winegrowing date to 1656. The current name of the estate is from Charles’ grandfather Henri, who retired in 1987 in favor of his son François, who then passed it to Charles in 2009. For those of you that follow the various clones of pinot that are used in the Côte today, the name Magnien is prominent for one that gives very tiny thick-skinned berries that possess a very high solid to liquid ratio. With respect to the 2021 vintage, Magnien pulled no punches in noting that “in hindsight the growing season was intellectually interesting if basically horrible when we were in the middle of it! It was necessary to be seriously rigorous with your treatments and constantly be on the lookout for breakout disease pressure. The summer was often too wet to get equipment into the vineyards so we treated with back-carried atomizers, which I can report is honestly no fun at all. Then, when we were getting close to the harvest, but rot was threatening and the maturities just weren’t there, it was an agonizing question regarding what to do? Wait until they finally did arrive but lose more crop every day when you already knew that yields were going to be low, or pick slightly underripe fruit? We opted to wait to pick until the 22nd of September despite losing even more volume and in the end I’m happy that we did as the potential alcohols came in between 12 and 13.7%. I used no whole clusters except for the 4 Carac Terres cuvée and had no trouble with the vinifications. As to the wines, I like them a lot as they’re ripe but super-fresh and transparent with a lovely sense of intrinsic energy, which already makes them a pleasure to drink.” I was quite impressed with the quality I found here in 2021 so if you aren’t familiar with the wines, do yourself a favor and find a few bottles to try.

Press
The Gevrey-Chambertin is from 15 different plots, with the vines between 8-40 years old. It has fine fruit and delicacy. This is starting to have a bit more generosity and phenolic charm. The 25% new oak usage is – just – suitable.


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