Lucien Muzard

Nine generations of Muzards precede Claude and Hervé, who today control Domaine Lucien Muzard across 16 ha of vineyards in Santenay, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny Montrachet and Pommard. The family can trace its roots back to 1645, but it was not until the two sons, Claude and Herve took over the domaine from Lucien in 1995 that it began bottling at the estate rather than selling to négociants. Today 85% of the production is red wine but the white wines are gaining in stature with several key premier cru parcels in Santenay being replanted with Chardonnay. Santenay borders Chassagne Montrachet to the north adjoining notable premier cru’s such as Morgeots, Les Embazees and Les Baudines. Clearly there is potential for white wines with much limestone apparent in a complex series of fractured geological faults where the Cote dÓr ends and turns the corner towards Maranges signalling the end of the Cote dÓr slope. Santenay contains a great variety of soil differences and vineyard expositions, the potential of which deserves discovery.

Reducing vine yields and adoption of some modern wine-making techniques has resulted in spotlessly pure, great value Burgundy in both colours. They started using small bins for harvesting, a vibrating sorting table and conveyor belts rather than pumps to keep crushing to an absolute minimum as well as acquiring a new temperature controlled fermentation facility with new wooden vats and a new precision controlled press. In 2005 they began managing the vineyard organically and ultimately gained certification for biodynamic farming in 2011. Following the incessant rains of spring 2012 however they relinquished this certification and today follow a lutte raisonée, or sustainable farming path drawing on organic and bio-dynamic principals employed in the last 2 decades.

They continue to plough their rows and shun any use of herbicides or pesticides, let alone chemical fertilizers. In the winery these days, more whole bunches are included, typically about a third, while there are no additions of yeast or enzymes. In tandem with the move to more whole-bunch, the extraction regime has moved away from punch-downs towards a gentler remontage (pump-over) approach, while elevage is moving towards both larger oak and a subtler new-oak influence. Indeed for the first time in vintage 2015, two large foudres were included in the elevage of the Maladière and since then more large foudres from 3500- 5000 litres have been added. The reds are bottled un-fined and with only a coarse filtration as required.

WINE NOTES AND REVIEWS - CURRENT VINTAGES

In 2022 they have made some modifications in white vinification, adding no sulphur until after malolactic. They have purchased some 600 litre barrels for white, along with foudres for red, as bigger formats keep the carbon dioxide better, thus needing less sulphur. Mostly 350 litre barrels otherwise. The Muzards like to crush their white grapes before pressing, then start the fermentation in tank, before sending to barrel. Most whites had been racked to tank just before the new harvest. Bottles of both colours are closed with traditional corks. Jasper Morris MW, December 2023

WHITES - due May 2023

The quantities of white wines available to us from the frost reduced vintage of 2019 were so small as to not warrant selection in this vintage. We look forward to the 2020 vintage which is also extremely limited. 2021 looks likely to again be extremely small in volume.

2022 Lucien Muzard Meursault Les Meix Chavaux
The Meix Chavaux is blended between 350 and 600 litre barrels. Very attractive lemon and lime colour, with a racy characterful nose, fresh apple, a little lime blossom, fresh energy throughout. I love the graceful yet lifted quality of this wine. It should fill out later on, but is already clearly on the right road. We also tried the same wine, but racked back to barrel to see what a longer elevage will look like. A little more yellow in the colour, while the nose is rounder, showing the wood only in terms of weight not of taste. Fills out the middle in the way I was looking for from the main wine. Either way, Meix Chavaux is a big step up. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted: October 2023. (90-93 points) Jasper Morris M.W., October 2023

REDS - due May 2023

2022 Lucien Muzard Bourgogne
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 and freshness and balance.
Mid purple colour. An attractive pinot nose but then rather fierce tannins behind which will need to settle. Perhaps toughened a little by the recent bottling? Drink from 2024-2026.
86 points, Jasper Morris M.W., October 2023

2022 Lucien Muzard Santenay Vieilles Vignes
Comes from several parcels including from Clos des Hates which is located beside one of Muzards best 1er cru sites, Clos Faubard. From 3ha of vines with an average age of 50+ years, spread over 3 parcels: one in the north near Chassagne, one in the centre near the village and one in the south which borders on to 1er cru Clos Rousseau. Hand-picked and sorted, the fruit is 60% destemmed-but-not-crushed and 40% whole bunches, wild-yeast fermented. Gently plunged for 15-20 days, then pressed to 30% new French oak barriques for 12 months maturation. Total production of this cuvee averages 750 cases per year.
From Les Hates and Prarons. Mid purple, A greener aspect to the nose, but an extra degree of classy red fruit on the palate, and a better texture at the finish. Good judgement with the degree of whole bunches, I think. Drink from 2026-2030. (87-90 points) Jasper Morris M.W., October 2023

2022 Santenay rouge Champs Claude vieilles vignes
From vines located just below Chassagne 1er cru Morgeot. Vine age here is mostly 80+ years old. Always a wine with generosity and finesse which delivers great pleasure already.
This is a big cuvée, from a foudre of 12 barrels dimension plus 17 actual barrels. And it is a good one! A slightly darker purple, with a beautiful bouquet, the darker side of raspberries, this is really very harmonious on the palate, still with its welcome point of acidity, juicy and racy together. Drink from 2026-2031. (89-92 points) Jasper Morris M.W., October 2023

2022 Lucien Muzard Santenay 1er Clos Faubard
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. (88-90 points) Jasper Morris M.W., October 2023

2022 Pommard Les Cras
Made from 90 year old vines. Medium purple with a lighter rim. A little touch of new wood. The ripeness of the fruit and the age of the vines carries this over the structure of a Pommard, though that is still visible at the back. The energy is impressive. Thoroughly enjoyable even in the medium term. Drink from 2027-2032. (89-91 points) Jasper Morris M.W., October 2023