In the hierarchy of red Burgundy, Charmes-Chambertin needs little introduction. This sprawling Grand Cru sits directly below Chambertin and Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, on one of the most coveted slopes in the Côte de Nuits. Frédéric Magnien’s 2019 “Aux Charmes” raises the stakes further, coming from a tiny parcel of Pinot Noir vines approximately 80 to 100 years old. In a region where old vines are increasingly precious, this is serious raw material from one of Burgundy’s most important Grand Cru terroirs.

Frédéric Magnien has also become one of Burgundy’s most progressive traditionalists. Based in Morey-Saint-Denis, he founded his négociant operation in 1995 after working alongside his father, Michel Magnien, and gaining experience in California and Australia. More importantly, his winemaking has evolved dramatically. Magnien moved away from the heavy new-oak élevage that characterized many Burgundies of the era and became an early adopter of terracotta vessels, which allow controlled oxygen exchange without imposing additional oak flavor. Combined with organic and biodynamic farming principles, the goal is simple: strip away anything that obscures the vineyard.

That philosophy found an ideal partner in 2019, a vintage that delivered exceptional ripeness and concentration across the Côte de Nuits while retaining the freshness required for serious aging. Black cherry, raspberry, and plum move into dried herbs, forest floor, exotic spice, and iron-rich minerality. The old vines give the wine impressive density and Grand Cru scale, but the structure remains controlled, with ripe tannins and fresh acidity carrying the wine through a long, savory finish. Burghound awarded it 90–93 points, praising its volume, complexity, length, and balance.

This is exactly the kind of Burgundy we look for at SommSelect: Grand Cru terroir, ancient vines, a great vintage, and a producer doing something genuinely different in the cellar for a reason. Magnien isn’t using terracotta to make a statement. He is using it to get out of the way. When the vineyard is Charmes-Chambertin and the vines are approaching a century old, that makes a lot of sense.

Provenance Guarantee

This wine comes with an unimpeachable provenance:

• Purchased En Primeur / Pre-Arrival in 2020–2021
• Released between late 2021 and 2022
• Stored at Dartess in Burgundy
• Transferred to London City Bond (date to be confirmed)
• Kept in original packaging, undisturbed case