Welcome to Chambolle-Musigny, a treasure of the Côte de Nuits in Burgundy where the Pinot Noir grape variety reaches new heights of finesse!
Through this article, we invite you to discover the very essence of this AOC of exception, its history, its terroirs, and of course, the wines born here. Enjoy your discovery !
Summary
History of the Chambolle-Musigny AOC
The Chambolle-Musigny appellation is part of a winemaking tradition dating back to Antiquity. The first vines are said to have been planted here by the Romans nearly 2,000 years ago. They quickly understood the exceptional winegrowing potential of this terroir, made up of well-exposed limestone hillsides.
In the Middle Ages, written records began to define more explicitly the wines produced in Chambolle. As early as the 12th century, it was mainly the Cistercian monks, great architects of Burgundy's vineyards, who structured and developed the cultivation in the region. They also identified the highest quality plots, thus laying the foundations for the current system of “ climats ”, a wine classification system that the whole world envies Burgundy.
At that time, the wines of Chambolle were already mainly made from the Pinot Noir grape variety. These wines were found on the tables of local nobles as well as in the cellars of monasteries. The influence of the monks and their deep knowledge of the soils gradually allowed Chambolle to establish itself as an essential terroir of Burgundy.
In the 16th and 17th centuries, the wine of Chambolle began to travel beyond local borders. The finesse and elegance of its crus seduced royal courts, and the first commercial exchanges with regions such as Flanders or England developed. It was also during this period that the Musigny, one of the most prestigious climats of the vineyard, established itself as a terroir and a wine of exception.
In the 18th century, the French Revolution led to the redistribution of land and disrupted the established order. Many wine estates were dissolved, and properties were divided. However, the great terroirs of Chambolle remained sought after, and vineyard owners continued to produce quality wines.
In 1860, the commune of Chambolle changed its name and officially became Chambolle-Musigny, thus adding to its name that of the most prestigious terroir of the local vineyard. It was also during this same year that Chassagne became Chassagne-Montrachet. A few years later, in 1879, Puligny would in turn take the name Puligny-Montrachet, always with the aim of linking the great wine history of Burgundy to the name of the village.
At the end of the 19th century, the phylloxera crisis devastated the vineyards of all Burgundy. This destructive aphid, native to America, attacked the roots of European vines, causing their rapid decline. In just a few years, the region's wine production was almost wiped out. To restore the vineyards, winegrowers then resorted to grafting European grape varieties onto American rootstocks resistant to phylloxera. Although this crisis disrupted Burgundy viticulture, it also paved the way for a restructuring of terroirs and viticultural practices.
The 20th century also began with difficulty with the First World War, which devastated Burgundy's vineyards. After the war, Burgundy viticulture rebuilt itself and continued to evolve, with increased attention to quality and sustainability.
The year 1936 marked a decisive step for Chambolle-Musigny, with the creation of its Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC). This status then officially defined the unique character of the wines of this commune and protected their production against imitations.
From the 1980s-1990s, the wines of Chambolle-Musigny experienced a very significant boom and wine lovers from all over the world discovered the exceptional quality of its Grands Crus (Musigny and Bonnes-Mares).
Today, the Chambolle-Musigny AOC covers 152 hectares of vines of which 56 are classified as “ Premier Cru ”, all exclusively dedicated to the Pinot Noir grape. The wines of the appellation also continue to enjoy a fantastic national and international reputation.
Map of a part of the Côte de Nuits with Chambolle-Musigny at its center
Climate and soils of the Chambolle-Musigny AOC
Located on the legendary Route des Grands Crus, the village of Chambolle-Musigny flourishes on an exceptional stretch within the Côte de Nuits, between Morey-Saint-Denis to the north and the commune of Vougeot to the south.
This vineyard, known for its red wines made from Pinot Noir, is caressed by a temperate climate with continental tendencies. This climatic duality combines a slight oceanic influence, responsible for regular rainfall throughout the year, with continental elements characterized by harsh winters and hot summers sometimes punctuated by storms.
While the role of climate is undeniable, the soil of the Chambolle-Musigny vineyard also brings an essential complementary dimension. The richness and diversity of this terroir are based on a complex geology shaped by the millennial erosion of local limestone rocks. In certain areas, Prémeaux limestone dominates, producing distinctive stony and clay soils, developing red wines of remarkable finesse.
The marls with Ostrea acuminata (fossilized oyster), present in other plots, give rise to brown-yellow clay-loam soils, particularly favorable to Premiers Crus such as those east of the Grand Cru Bonnes Mares.
Lower down the slope, soils enriched by crinoidal limestone, with their brown-red stones, give the wines additional structure and complexity.
Higher up, certain plots such as those of the Grand Cru Musigny also benefit from gravel deposits. This exceptional drainage allows the production of bottles of incomparable concentration and elegance.
Finally, the clay and stony soils of Comblanchien limestone bring a striking minerality to certain climats, such as Les Sentiers or Les Baudes.
Map of the wine-growing terroirs of Chambolle-Musigny
The wines of the Chambolle-Musigny AOC
The Chambolle-Musigny could be defined as a concentrate of elegance in a bottle and a tribute to the finesse of Pinot Noir. Here, everything is designed to enhance this emblematic Burgundy grape variety, with its small dense bunches and dark blue berries.
On the palate as on the nose, the Chambolle-Musigny plays the card of delicacy. Imagine a red wine that greets you with delicate aromas of violet, strawberry, cherry, raspberry as well as light spices. The tannins are silky and the texture smooth, making the tasting particularly accessible and charming.
The wines of Chambolle, especially the Premiers Crus and Grands Crus, are also wonderful age-worthy wines. Over time, they reveal complex notes of truffle, undergrowth or even prune... a real treat !
Pinot Noir, the soul of Chambolle-Musigny wines
The Premiers Crus of the Chambolle-Musigny AOC
The Premiers Crus of Chambolle-Musigny embody Burgundian excellence. 24 distinct climats thus cover 56 hectares, each plot asserting its character and telling its own story. Here are some examples of the most famous Premiers Crus of the appellation.
Les Amoureuses
-Les Amoureuses is the most famous and iconic Premier Cru of the appellation. Located on the hill of Chambolle-Musigny, above the village, it is close to the Grands Crus Musigny and Bonnes-Mares, sharing with them a south-east exposure, ideal for maximizing sunlight, while benefiting from protection against northern winds.
The soil of Amoureuses consists of clay-limestone marls, with the presence of fossils, notably oysters, which enrich the soil structure with limestone. This type of soil ensures good drainage while allowing adequate moisture retention, offering the vines a favorable environment for their development.
The wines produced on this climat are known for their finesse, their elegance and their complexity. They are often more subtle and refined than those produced on other Premiers Crus of Chambolle-Musigny, while maintaining a fine tannic structure and aromas of ripe red fruits as well as delicate floral notes. Over time, these cuvées develop more complex aromas, sometimes of truffle or undergrowth.
The name “Les Amoureuses” probably refers to the idea of a seductive terroir, offering wines of great charm that quickly seduce lovers of fine wines. Another hypothesis suggests that the term "amoureuses" refers to the clay soil of the climat, which sticks to boots when wet. It is then poetically said that the earth is “ amoureuse ”.
The other Premiers Crus
Of course, other Premiers Crus exist in the appellation! Here is a non-exhaustive overview.
-Les Charmes, Les Feusselottes, Aux Beaux Bruns, or even Les Plantes are Premiers Crus distinguished by the finesse and elegance of their red wines. These climats are perfect for those seeking delicate cuvées with subtle minerality.
-Les Fuées, Les Cras or even Les Baudes are plots close to Bonnes-Mares, and add a more "wild" touch, while retaining the refined signature of Chambolle wines.
-Finally, with Derrière la Grange or La Combe d'Orveau, you will discover more full-bodied wines, perfect to accompany a noble dish such as game or a rack of lamb.
Les Amoureuses: an exceptional terroir in Chambolle-Musigny
The Grands Crus of the village of Chambolle-Musigny
The commune of Chambolle-Musigny has two exceptional Grands Crus: the famous Musigny and Bonnes-Mares.
-The Grand Cru Musigny covers 10.79 hectares and produces an overwhelming majority of red wines but also a few rare and delicious white wines. This climat is located on a hill with a slight slope, benefiting from a south-east exposure.
The wines of Musigny are often described as the purest, most elegant and refined expression of Pinot Noir. They are renowned for their complexity and perfect balance. These wines often have a fine minerality, a signature of the limestone soil, which gives them great freshness. The mouthfeel is silky with fine tannins, slightly velvety, and an impressive length. Musigny is a wine that evolves beautifully over time, developing complex aromas and great harmony over the years.
-The Grand Cru Bonnes-Mares covers 14.99 hectares, exclusively dedicated to Pinot Noir. This climat is located just west of Musigny and extends over two communes, Chambolle-Musigny and Morey-Saint-Denis. This terroir also benefits from a south-east exposure but the plot is steeper than that of Musigny.
The soils of Bonnes-Mares are mainly composed of limestone marls but with a higher proportion of clay compared to Musigny, thus giving the wines a stronger tannic structure.
The wines of Bonnes-Mares are therefore generally more intense, more powerful and more structured than those of the Grand Cru Musigny. However, they still retain great elegance and complexity making them remarkable. They too can stand the test of time brilliantly for several decades!
What to eat with a Chambolle-Musigny?
A wine as refined as Chambolle-Musigny deserves culinary pairings worthy of it. Here are some ideas to create perfect matches around this great Burgundy wine.
- Game birds: honor pheasant or partridge, cooked with a light sauce that respects the finesse of this wine. A touch of red fruit in the preparation could even enhance its aromas.
- Roast Bresse chicken: its delicate flesh pairs perfectly with a young Chambolle-Musigny. Consider a simple garnish, such as tender vegetables, to let the wine shine.
- Confit or slow-roasted lamb: the tender and deep flavors of this meat create a perfect harmony with Premiers Crus such as Les Amoureuses or Les Charmes.
- Roast or stewed veal: the subtlety of this meat highlights the silky and airy structure of Chambolle-Musigny. A stew with herbs and mushrooms could be a memorable choice.
- Brillat-savarin or Reblochon are excellent choices with a young Chambolle, with fruit and floral notes.
- Soft cheeses such as Chaource, Brie de Meaux or Vacherin also offer a very nice pairing.
Finally, to fully enjoy your Chambolle-Musigny, serve it at a temperature between 14 and 16°C to preserve its freshness and aromatic subtlety.
Roast Bresse chicken: a perfect pairing with a young Chambolle-Musigny
The best wines of the Chambolle-Musigny AOC
The Chambolle-Musigny appellation seduces with the diversity and quality of its wine estates. Among the most renowned are Domaine Faiveley, Domaine Joseph Drouhin, Domaine Ghislaine Barthod, and Maison Louis Jadot. Nevertheless, we would like to highlight here the magnificent Chambolle from Domaine Decelle & Fils.
Founded in 2009 by Olivier Decelle and Pierre-Jean Villa, this estate quickly established itself on the magnificent terroirs it owns in the Côte de Nuits, including that of Chambolle-Musigny.
Their cuvées are a real favorite and you will naturally find them in stock on our website. Their Chambolle-Musigny is, in this respect, a model of smoothness and elegance, perfectly capturing the iconic characteristics of the appellation.
And there you have it, our journey to the heart of Chambolle-Musigny is already coming to an end! Whether you are a Chambolle aficionado or now want to explore this magnificent vineyard and its exceptional bottles, feel free to check our stock on our website La Cave Éclairée.
Cheers and see you soon for new wine journeys !
