2018 Frédéric Magnien 'Croix Violette' Cote de Nuits-Villages

Today's wine is an undiscovered gem waiting to be reveled by all. This single-vineyard sensation comes from a relatively unknown commune sandwiched in-between two of Burgundy's highest established villages, Gevery-Chambertin and Fixin. Located just down the road from the 1er Cru's of Fixin this ornament is crafted from biodynamic vineyards and produced on the cutting edge of Burgundian winemaking. From one of Burgundy's most innovative winemakers, Frédéric Magnien leads the charge for the next generation of burgundy greats. The 2018 Croix Violette is a medium-bodied beauty that conveys the complexities and power of the Cotes de Nuits like no other. Emphatically enjoyable in its youth this wine will age gracefully and provide immediate satisfaction. You don't want to wait to taste this gem.

Frédéric Magnien is widely considered to be one of the Cote de Nuits' most brilliant winemakers. Magnien comes from a family deeply rooted in the long-standing history of Burgundy's most prestigious red wine appellation, the Cote de Nuits. Frédéric's father, Michel, has been one of Burgundy's premier grape growers along with being the former vineyard manager at Louis Latour. In 1993, Frédéric urged his father, who sold most of his grapes to other domains to bottle their harvest. Thus, the Magnien legend was born. Today Frédéric Magnien manages the family estate along with his own négociant domaine. What sets them apart from the counterparts is their cutting-edge winemaking and aging philosophy. In 2015, both domains completely eliminated oak aging from their wines using clay pots and terracotta amphorae in their place. Frédéric wines are "Demeter Certified" and biodynamically farmed along with maintaining a strict standard, producing wines from vines at least 50 years in age. Frédéric Magnien is on the cutting edge of wine production in Burgundy, building incredibly precise and complex wines with plenty of texture and terroir transparency.

Frédéric Magnien is a fifth-generation winemaker from Morey-Saint-Denis. Learning the craft first from his father, Michel Magnien (of Domaine Michel Magnien), Fred spent four years working around the globe in other fine wine regions to hone his talents before returning home and starting his own négociant Domaine. Frédéric spent time working with some of the best Pinot Noir producers in the world having worked at Calera and Bannockburn Vineyards during his travels. Magnien differentiates himself from other négociants by forming close working relationships with partner growers, selecting only older-vine parcels cared for to his exacting standards. His own teams pick the grapes at harvest, a further qualitative step. The vineyards Magnien selects are all certified organic. Fred's goal is to highlight the importance of the grower, winemaker relationship and showcase the symbiotic relationship between grower and producer.

‘Croix Viollette’ is a small, southeast-facing plot surrounded by a stone wall, neighboring an active cloister (the Violet Cross) in the village of Brochon, next to Gevrey-Chambertin. The plot’s well-draining soils feature a mix of clay and limestone with gravelly subsoils. These 40-50 old vines produce elegantly structured Burgundy's that are succulently delicious in their youth and have plenty of aging potential.