Domaine Stéphane Magnien Clos Saint Denis Grand Cru 2019

Alcohol: 12,5%

Grape(s): Pinot Noir

Localization: Côte de Nuits, Burgundy, France

Tasting Notes: This is a real step up from the 1er cru, at the level of elegance and complexity. What strikes in this vintage is the opulence of the wines and the ripeness of the tannins. All the wines taste very well being rich and creamy. The Clos Saint-Denis is inviting from the first smell. Ripe red fruit dominates, supported by mineral notes and sweet spices like cinnamon. On the palate the structure is well defined, the aromas are a blend of currant, black cherry, lifted by crushed rose petals. There is a touch of black tea, a touch of game and forest flavors. It is a powerful wine, lively, built to age.

Food Pairing: Duck, Goose, and Game Birds

Domain: Domaine Stéphane Magnien is a small domaine in Morey-Saint-Denis that makes superb, subtle, and old-fashioned wines of terroir from their 4.5 hectares. The domain is proud to say that for four generations they have not used herbicides, using plowing by horse and tractor to preserve the microbial life of the soil and force the vine's roots to descend more deeply, pulling great typicity from the terroir. "Far from 'vins médiatique' you will find in our bottles a subtle wine, well-structured, respecting the terroir and the vintage, with great length on the palate... all in finesse." There is a high percentage of old vines in their parcels, including a great deal of "Pinot Tordu," a small-berried,  aromatic old clone of Pinot - and there is a superb new cuvée Of Morey-Saint-Denis - the "Grains Fins" made entirely from young vines of Pinot Fin. Minimal new oak is used, normally 10% for the premier and grand cru wines, and the wines are bottled without fining or filtration. Hand harvesting, of course, and long, slow wild-yeast fermentations.