Description
Lucien Muzard’s sons, Hervé and Claude 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 value 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
2022 growing season was a solar season and delivered excellent quality of fruit.
Wow quality and value in spades here…. at a quarter the price of 1re Cru Gevrey ! Don’t miss this bargain. Under Stelvin. 13% Alc. Benefit decanting or for the cellar.
North of the Village, Clos Faubard sits up high, above Gravieres, where the slope climbs into scrubland. The soil here, has the same Bajocian marl limestone that is found in the Côte de Nuits and not found elsewhere in the Côte de Beaune, giving Faubard’s wine a distinct spicy minerality. Very red soil here, still with plenty of small stones. With so many fine premier cru sites to choose from at this estate it is this vineyard which we have consistently found to be our pick of the best representation of these sites, both for early enjoyment and for cellaring with confidence. The domaine, one of only three owners of this vineyard, has 1.47 hectares here and makes roughly 750 cases each year from vines mostly 60-70 years old. 40% whole bunch followed by 12 months elevage in 30% new barriques. Vibrant red fruit leads to a densely packed, mineral inflected palate of great purity and terrific length.
“Clos Faubard has a very red soil, above the hard rock. 27 barrels worth, including some in foudre. A bright medium deep purple. The nose has a firmer darker fruit. There is a generous weight of dark raspberry fruit, some tannins, but easily enough fruit to cover them. Drink from 2027-2031.” Jasper Morris M.W., October 2023
RRP $141 * OUR SPECIAL 6 PACK BUY .. Only $114.99 when you buy 6 of this wine*
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