Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes, Domaine Henri Magnien 2021

Introduced through his good friend Pierre Duroché, Magnien’s style of wines is nearer to Dugat-Py, in terms of richness, power and density. The domaine owns some prime sites in the north west quadrant of Gevrey, an area known locally as the Côte Saint-Jacques, including holdings in Lavaut and Estournelles and also a great strip running the length of Cazetiers, known as the “Le Petit Chambertin” because it has the same combination of soil types. Charles is also very particular about oak – choosing his own wood, exclusively now from the forests of Fontainbleu and Chatillons, and giving to his preferred tonneliere Chauvin. He finds the different forests favour different cuvées and that it is not so much the percentage of new oak but rather the type of wood and level of toast that is most important. The Gevrey Vieilles Vignes and lieu dit ‘Champerrier’ from 65-year old vines which “in blind tastings is a little 1er Cru” says Charles, are definitely smart buys from this address.