2017 Jacques-Frederic Mugnier, Musigny Grand Cru

The 2017 Musigny Vieilles Vignes Grand Cru is the latest release from Mugnier. It has a beautifully defined bouquet with mineral-driven red berry fruit notes, sous-bois and hints of bell pepper in the background. There's plenty of freshness and transparency here. The palate is very well balanced with fine, gentle grip, linear style and a subtle pepperiness on the finish. This is a sublime Musigny that will drink earlier than other recent vintages.

Some vines planted in 1940s and others 1958–1963. Barrel sample. Perfectly ripe fruit that smells both generous and fresh. Rich, almost exotic. Full of promise. But so fresh like the first cherries from the tree. Darker on the palate, a little more restrained. Incredibly delicate even though the structure is fully present and the whole has depth and wonderful length. A generous and rich wine with finesse all the way through and vibrant energy. (JH)