Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy, France
ESTATE
This Chambolle-Musigny estate was created by Joel Hudelot and Chantal Baillet in 1981. When Joel retired in 2004, he left charge of the estate to his son in law Dominique le Guen, a total Burgundy outsider. Dominique was originally from Brittany but started in the 90’s to work for his father in law and also with Fréderic Mugnier at Domaine Mugnier.
The estate covers 8.4 ha within the commune of Chambolle-Musigny, counting the Grand Cru Les Bonnes Mares and the 1ers Crus Les Cras and Les Charmes.
WINEMAKING
The estate is practicing the "lutte raisonnée" and putting an emphasis on the work in the vineyards. Once in the cellar, the grapes are totally destemmed then undergoing a brief cold maceration; the goal being to avoid too much extraction, Dominique resorts to a good combination of pigeage, pump over and racking. Then for the élevage, the percentage of new oak is as follow: 1/3 new oak for the village wines, 50% for the 1ers Crus and Grands Crus.
Dominique Le Guen makes very pure and genuine Chambolles, all about succulent berries and smooth texture. Dominique’s winemaking skills are impressive, his Hautes-Cotes de Nuits, from a terroir at the top of the village of Chambolle, can actually pass for a Chambolle-village wine at blind tastings.