Stéphane Magnien

History of Domaine Stéphane Magnien

The history of Domaine Stéphane Magnien begins in 1897, when Victor Magnien, whose parents were restaurateurs, fell in love with the profession of winegrower in Morey-Saint-Denis. He then acquired his first vineyard plots around the village, selling his entire production to négociants, in keeping with the common practice of the time. The second generation continued this work by progressively introducing modern viticulture tools: the straddle tractor replaced the draft horse, and the horizontal press succeeded the old ratchet presses.

It was with the third generation, embodied by Jean-Paul Magnien and his wife Marie-Odile, that the estate took a decisive step: selling its wines in bottles under their own name. This considerable investment — barrels, vat room, bottling line — marks the birth of the domaine as we know it today. Jean-Paul developed a worldwide reputation for the quality and consistency of his wines, with an absolute respect for terroirs and appellations.

In 2002, Stéphane Magnien, the fourth generation, joined his father and worked closely alongside him for six years. It was in 2008 that he officially took the reins of the estate, bringing his youth, his extensive technical knowledge, and a resolutely artisanal vision of winemaking. Since then, the quality of the wines produced has continued to progress, attracting the attention of the most prestigious wine publications — Decanter, Inside Burgundy, Revue des Vins de France, Burghound — which regularly award them exceptional scores.

Terroirs and Vineyards of Domaine Stéphane Magnien

The vineyard of Domaine Stéphane Magnien extends over three emblematic communes of the Côte de Nuits: Morey-Saint-Denis, Chambolle-Musigny, and Gevrey-Chambertin. This privileged geographical position, at the heart of a continuous limestone vein running north to south for more than 200 kilometres, imparts a mineral tension and incomparable aromatic complexity to the wines.

The work in the vineyard is carried out with a deep respect for the environment and the soils. For nearly four decades, no chemical herbicides have been used in the vineyard; only traditional mechanical tillage maintains the rows, encouraging deep root development of the vines and the maximum expression of the terroir in the glass. While the estate does not claim an official organic certification, its approach fully falls within the scope of reasoned viticulture, in the spirit of integrated pest management that respects natural balances.

The vines, some of which were planted between 1950 and 1970, display a fine maturity that results in naturally concentrated and expressive grapes. Harvesting is entirely manual, with rigorous sorting in the vineyard to retain only the finest grapes. The Morey-Saint-Denis plots benefit from a characteristic clay and limestone subsoil, which imparts structure, minerality, and aging potential to the wines. In Chambolle-Musigny, the lighter, more calcareous soils give rise to wines of incomparable elegance and finesse. In Gevrey-Chambertin, finally, the deeper and richer terroirs allow the expression of Grand Crus of great stature.

Winemaking at Domaine Stéphane Magnien

In the cellar, Stéphane Magnien practices a resolutely traditional and minimally interventionist winemaking approach, whose primary objective is to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the authenticity of the terroir. Destemming is total: the bunches are entirely destemmed before fermentation in order to obtain silky tannins and a clean, precise fruity expression.

Maceration lasts approximately 15 days, during which regular pigeages and pump-overs allow a gentle and progressive extraction of tannins and anthocyanins. This measured approach guarantees wines that are both structured and digestible, far removed from heavy or over-ripe styles.

Aging then takes place in Burgundian oak barrels for 12 to 18 months, during which malolactic fermentation occurs. The proportion of new wood is deliberately kept low: approximately 15% for village appellations, and up to 35% for the Clos-Saint-Denis Grand Cru. This moderate use of new oak allows the fruit and the terroir to express themselves fully, without being masked by dominant woody notes.

True to his philosophy of non-intervention, Stéphane Magnien forgoes fining and filtration of his wines, thereby guaranteeing their purity and natural complexity. Bottling takes place after natural decanting. This artisanal, rigorous, and patient approach produces between 18,000 and 23,000 bottles per year — a confidential production that contributes to the rarity and value of these wines.

The Cuvées of Domaine Stéphane Magnien

Morey-Saint-Denis "Grains Fins"

This village cuvée takes its name from the fine, silky texture of its grapes. An assemblage of fine plots situated in the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis, it faithfully expresses the character of this exceptional terroir: a fine, fresh nose with aromas of red fruits (raspberry, cherry), a structured palate with beautiful substance and a pleasant length. A gastronomic wine that pairs wonderfully with red meats, game, or washed-rind cheeses.

Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes

From clay plots planted between 1950 and 1970, this village "Vieilles Vignes" benefits from additional depth and complexity compared to the "Grains Fins" cuvée. Elegant, structured, and sapid, it unfolds aromas of ripe black fruits, fine minerality, and remarkable length on the palate. Its aging potential exceeds 10 years.

Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes

Chambolle-Musigny is often considered the most feminine and most elegant appellation of the Côte de Nuits. The "Vieilles Vignes" cuvée of Stéphane Magnien lives up to this reputation: a luminous ruby color, a delicate nose of rose, strawberry, and violet, an airy palate with silky, melted tannins. A wine of great finesse, to be served with roasted poultry, veal sweetbreads, or wild mushrooms.

Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Aux Petites Noix"

This original cuvée was born from the imagination of Stéphane Magnien upon his arrival at the estate in 2008. It results from the assemblage of three Premiers Crus: Clos Baulet, Les Gruenchers, and Les Monts-Luisants. Although it is not an official climat, this characterful cuvée combines the complexity and aromatic richness of each of its source terroirs. An intense nose of black fruits, a fleshy and balanced palate, tight but elegant tannins.

Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Les Faconnières"

Les Faconnières is unquestionably the estate's flagship cuvée and its pride among Premiers Crus. Located just below the Grand Cru Clos de la Roche, to the north of Les Millandes, this climat enjoys exceptional exposure and terroir. Stéphane Magnien crafts a generous, ample, and expressive wine, with aromas of red and black fruits mingled with subtle spicy notes. The palate is full, the tannins firm but well integrated, and the finish long and persistent. 

Morey-Saint-Denis 1er Cru "Les Monts-Luisants"

Located at altitude, this Premier Cru benefits from a south-east exposure that imparts a fine freshness and marked minerality to the wines. A wine of great aromatic precision, which benefits from a few years of cellaring.

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Les Sentiers"

This Premier Cru from Chambolle-Musigny is one of the estate's rare gems. Les Sentiers is a climat renowned for producing wines that are both powerful and delicate, combining the richness of the Côte de Nuits with the characteristic finesse of Chambolle. Stéphane Magnien's cuvée expresses a delicate fruitiness of cherry and woodland berries, over a background of liquorice and soft spices. Silky palate, fine tannins, and remarkable length.

Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

From a plot of 19 ares 92 centiares in the lieu-dit Mazoyères-Chambertin, this Grand Cru from Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the jewels of the estate. Planted in 1981 and 1987, the vineyard produces a rich, intense, and deep wine, with complex aromas of black fruits, leather, undergrowth, and spices. The palate is ample, the tannins dense, and the finish seemingly endless. An exceptional wine for aging, to be kept 10 to 20 years in the cellar.

Clos-Saint-Denis Grand Cru

This is unquestionably the estate's flagship cuvée, its most accomplished and most universally recognized expression. The Clos-Saint-Denis, which gives its name to the village of Morey-Saint-Denis, is one of the five Grands Crus of the appellation. Stéphane Magnien's plot produces a wine of rare precision and elegance, combining the calcareous minerality of the terroir with the purity of Pinot Noir. Aged with 35% new oak for support without masking, it unfolds aromas of ripe black fruits, violet, liquorice, and flint. The palate is taut, precise, of great length, with tannins of exceptional finesse.