History
The history of Domaine Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier dates back to 1863 when Frédéric Mugnier, a successful liquor-maker in Dijon, purchased the Château de Chambolle-Musigny and its vineyard. During the phylloxera crisis of the 1880s, Frédéric took advantage of the depressed vineyard prices to buy additional vineyards, including the Clos de la Maréchale, expanding the domaine to 24 hectares. After Frédéric's death in 1911, his son Ernest temporarily managed the estate before passing it to his seven children. Marcel, Ernest's son, eventually acquired all the siblings' shares and passed them to his son Jacques-Frédéric.
Jacques-Frédéric managed the domaine until he sold the liquor business and leased the vineyards to Faiveley in the 1950s. He later pursued a banking career in Saudi Arabia but returned to France in 1977 to reclaim the vineyards. His son Frédéric, who had trained as an oenologist, took over the domaine in 1984 and expanded it significantly in 2004 by acquiring the Clos de la Maréchale vineyards from Faiveley. Under Frédéric's scientific approach, the domaine has produced some of the finest expressions of Burgundy wines, including the Grands Crus of Bonnes-Mares and Musigny.
Terroir
The terroir of Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier is deeply rooted in the Burgundy region, specifically within the town of Chambolle-Musigny. The estate's vineyards span over 14 hectares, including prime plots in Musigny and Chambolle-Musigny, which are renowned for their exceptional terroir. The soils in these vineyards are characterized by a mix of clay and limestone, contributing to the nuanced flavors and complex profiles of the wines. This unique terroir, combined with the estate's minimal intervention winemaking approach, allows the terroir to express itself fully. The vineyards' shallow limestone-rich soils and somewhat higher elevation contribute to the elegant, charming side of Red Burgundy, particularly evident in the wines produced by Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier. The estate's commitment to terroir-driven winemaking ensures that each wine is a representative of its respective terroir and vintage, with a focus on harmony and sincerity.