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 winemaker's profession in Morey-Saint-Denis. He then acquired his first vineyard parcels around the village, selling his entire production to négociants, according to the common practice of the time. The second generation continued this work by gradually introducing modern viticulture tools, the straddle tractor replaced the draft horse, 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 domaine took a decisive step: bottling and marketing under their own name. This considerable investment, barrels, cellar, bottling line, marked 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 absolute respect for the terroirs and appellations.

In 2002, Stéphane Magnien, fourth generation, joined his father and worked closely with him for six years. It was in 2008 that he officially took the reins of the domaine, bringing his youth, his in-depth technical knowledge and a resolutely artisanal vision of winemaking. Since then, the quality of the wines produced has continued to improve, attracting the attention of the greatest 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 location, in the heart of a continuous limestone vein that runs from north to south for more than 200 kilometers, gives the wines incomparable mineral tension and aromatic complexity.

The work in the vineyard is conducted with deep respect for the environment and the soils. For nearly four decades, no chemical herbicide has been used on the vineyard, only traditional mechanical plowing maintains the rows, promoting deep rooting of the vines and maximum expression of the terroir in the glass. Although the domaine does not claim official organic certification, its approach fully belongs to sustainable viticulture, in the spirit of integrated pest management respectful of natural balances.

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

Vinification at Domaine Stéphane Magnien

In the cellar, Stéphane Magnien practices a resolutely traditional and low-intervention winemaking approach, whose primary objective is to preserve the integrity of the fruit and the authenticity of the terroir. Destemming is complete, the grape clusters are entirely destemmed before fermentation in order to obtain silky tannins and a clear and precise fruit expression.

The vatting lasts approximately 15 days, during which regular punch-downs and pump-overs allow for gentle and gradual extraction of tannins and anthocyanins. This measured approach guarantees wines that are both structured and digestible, far from heavy or overripe styles.

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

Faithful to his philosophy of non-intervention, Stéphane Magnien renounces fining and filtration of his wines, thus guaranteeing their purity and natural complexity. Bottling takes place after natural decantation. 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 and silky texture of its grapes. An assemblage of beautiful parcels located in the commune of Morey-Saint-Denis, it faithfully expresses the character of this exceptional terroir: fine and fresh nose with aromas of red fruits (raspberry, cherry), structured palate with beautiful substance and pleasant length. A gastronomic wine that pairs wonderfully with red meats, game or washed-rind cheeses.

Morey-Saint-Denis Vieilles Vignes

Produced from clay parcels 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 develops aromas of ripe black fruits, beautiful 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 elegant appellation of the Côte de Nuits. Stéphane Magnien's "Vieilles Vignes" cuvée lives up to this reputation: luminous ruby robe, delicate nose of rose, strawberry and violet, airy palate with silky and 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 domaine in 2008. It results from the assemblage of three Premiers Crus: Clos Baulet, Les Gruenchers and Les Monts-Luisants. Although not an official climat, this characterful cuvée combines the complexity and aromatic richness of each of its terroirs of origin. Intense nose of black fruits, fleshy and balanced palate, tight but elegant tannins.

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

Les Faconnières unquestionably constitute the flagship cuvée and pride of the domaine in terms of Premiers Crus. Located just below the Grand Cru Clos de la Roche, 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 blended 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 gives the wines a beautiful freshness and marked minerality. A wine of great aromatic precision, which benefits from being kept in the cellar for a few years.

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Les Sentiers"

This Premier Cru from Chambolle-Musigny is one of the rare gems of the domaine. 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 wild berries, on a background of licorice and sweet spices. Silky palate, fine tannins and remarkable length.

Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru

Produced from a parcel of 19 ares 92 centiares in the lieu-dit Mazoyères-Chambertin, this Grand Cru from Gevrey-Chambertin is one of the jewels of the domaine. 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 endless. An exceptional wine for aging, to be kept 10 to 20 years in the cellar.

Clos-Saint-Denis Grand Cru

This is undoubtedly the emblematic cuvée of the domaine, its most accomplished and universally recognized expression. Clos-Saint-Denis, which gives its name to the village of Morey-Saint-Denis, is one of the five Grands Crus of the commune. Stéphane Magnien's parcel produces a wine of rare precision and elegance, which combines the limestone minerality of the terroir with the purity of Pinot Noir. Aged with 35% new oak barrels for support without masking, it develops aromas of ripe black fruits, violet, licorice and flint. The palate is taut, precise, very long, with tannins of exceptional finesse.