Description
Lucien Muzard’s sons, Hervé and Claude now run the domaine, now ninth generation growers that trace lineage in Santenay back to 1666. While they respect traditional wine-making practices, they also keep an open mind to modern changes in viniculture. In the vineyards they have greatly reduced grape yields with pruning to intensify flavour. In the cellar they have eliminated fining and only filter when strictly necessary. This is a source of spotlessly pure great value red Burgundy.
The domaine has fabulous holdings farmed on organic principles for over a decade and in 2011 achieved biodynamic certification. Claude describes a ‘traditional approach’ to winemaking; hand-harvesting, sorting and predominantly destemming the fruit – though a touch of whole bunch complexity here or in vintages when they consider fruit quality good enough. Fermentation relies on their native yeast populations, in temperature controlled (a nod to modernism) wooden fermenting tanks, and typically lasts about two weeks before pressing, settling and then placing the wines into barrels. As under screw cap the Muzard wines are often slightly reductive when first bottled as they retain plenty of carbon dioxide dissolved in the wine – so younger bottles will always benefit from decanting. The Muzard’s wines provide some of the finest values to be found from the Côte d’Or.
Rated top ten “Best value producers” Burgundy – Wine Report 2009 by Clive Coates MW
“Brothers Claude and Hervé have been in charge for a decade or so, during which they have established this domaine as arguably the best in the village—against fierce competition.” Clive Coates MW
This comes from parcels in Maranges and in Santenay, plus a one hectare parcel in the Hautes Côtes. Raised 30% in tank and 70% in barrel (15% new). Lovely volume of red fruit with a hint of slatey minerality. Always an exceptional value, in 2022 it shows both excellent depth, ripe tannins with freshness and balance.
Vive La France! 13 % Alc Under Cork
Past vintages:
“Not the new Côte d’Or label – ‘it’s already sufficiently complicated.’ Three different parcels. All the wines have 30-40% whole clusters, just a little less in the Bourgogne – a little pigeage when cold before fermentation and then remontage just to keep the cap moist. Hmm – a nice big and open-armed invitation from darker red fruit – very nice. Hmm, wide, fine definition to this approachable fruit – a lift of freshness in the middle then mouth-watering at the end. Super juicy finishing. Simply a great Bourgogne” Bill Nanson, The Burgundy Report, November 2018
”The 2017 Bourgogne Pinot Noir bursts with aromas of sweet red berries, loamy soil and espresso roast, followed by a medium-bodied, satiny palate with tangy acids and melting tannins. It’s already expressive.” William Kelly, The Wine Advocate.
RRP $63 *Only $49.99 when you buy 6 or more of this wine!
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