Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru '4 Carac'Terres', Domaine Henri Magnien, 2023 - Magnum
Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru '4 Carac'Terres', Domaine Henri Magnien, 2023 - Magnum
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
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Est. delivery in 2026
The 2023 vintage at Domaine Henri Magnien stands out as a rare combination of exceptional quality and abundant yields, a balance seldom achieved in Burgundy. Meticulous grape selection during harvest ensured that only the finest fruit was used. Benefiting from a favourable flowering period, the vines produced well-formed bunches with a notable number of berries. The resulting wines are defined by their harmony: soft tannins, vibrant acidity, and a well-integrated richness.
"Produced from a blend of fruit from four Premier Cru sites—Champeaux, Estournelles, Lavaux, and Cazetiers—this wine is deeply concentrated and textured. Dark fruit and brooding tannins dominate, with a spiced, layered character that sets it apart. Production is extremely limited, with only one barrel crafted annually."
Our note
This vintage displays a marked shift toward dark red fruit and spiced profiles compared to 2022, with enhanced freshness and balance. Achieving perfect ripeness was crucial, as the domaine opted for destemming all fruit, avoiding the use of whole bunches. The wines, crafted entirely from the Magnien clone of Pinot Noir developed in 1850, exhibit a clear expression of terroir alongside their refined structure and vitality.
What the critics say:
"The 2023 Gevrey-Chambertin 4 Carac'terres 1er Cru is 100% whole bunch with 100% new oak. The stems work to its benefit on the nose with white pepper combining and not dominating the red fruit. It has fine delineation. The palate is medium-bodied and cohesive with a lovely crunchy opening, a keen line of acidity and a penetrating finish that embraces the new oak. I would afford this ten years in bottle to soak up the wood. Only 200 magnum will be bottled."
"Made from 120kg (265lb) of the finest grapes from the four premiers crus. 100% whole-bunch. “Never any punching-down or pumping-over for this—we don’t touch it—but we do add CO2 three times a day during vinification.” Dense and compact. Licorice richness. Seductive ripeness of fruit. It has punchy concentration, as well as a minty note from the whole-bunch. A lot of oak, which is quite smoky now. 2028–35."
"Charles Magnien tips a wink at the concept of whole bunches by making this wine entirely that way, and with 100% new wood, using equal volumes of fruit from his four 1ers Crus. There will be 196 magnums made. A slightly lighter crimson, with the immediate whole bunch bouquet. It wasn’t easy to select the bunches this time, Charles tells me. A gorgeous leafy touch through the middle of the palate, before pure red fruit, strawberry, cherry and raspberry in that order, light up the finish. The new wood barely shows, though the whole bunch aspect gives a fractional lift to the volatility. Lovely in its style, less classic. 14.27% alcohol. Drink from 2029-2035. Tasted Nov 2024. ****"
