Frédéric Mugnier has decided to hold back his Musigny for later release in order to assure that the wines are first enjoyed when they begin to show at least some of the potential.
The letter from Frederic Mugnier can be seen below … and is well worth reading.
I have seen quite many interpretations of Frédéric Mugniers move, and many spekulations are concerning gray market pricing and cutting the brokers margins on these wines. In my view this is however not the objective in this case.
I think he is genuinely tired of seeing his great wines being consumed within the first two or three years of their lives.
One rarely see older vintages of Burgundies in restaurants these days, and the opportunities to taste matured or mature wines are few and often very costly.
This could be a way to get some older vintages back in the restaurant cellars.
How long will he keep the Musigny in the domaine cellar
The letter is explaining his motives and intentions .. but how long will he keep the Musigny in the domaine cellar?, and will the same happen to the Bonnes Mares?.
Musigny is in my mind one of the grand crus that requieres the longest time to unfold. While Mugniers wines have a quite wide drinking window … the Musigny need many years to unfold completely …
My guess is that Frédéric Mugnier will hold back the Musigny around five years longer, to ensure some development in bottle.
It will be exiting to follow the development and to see if other domaines follow Mugniers example.
- A true vin d’émotion – a Burgundy of passion
- A truly hedonistic wine – lively and enjoyable
- A vivacious wine for pure indulgance
- A Vin Vif - fresh, energetic and with a light appearance