Sebastien Magnien

The Clos de la Perrière is one of the outstanding sites of the Hautes Côtes de Beaune, facing south on stony and shallow soil. The nose has a lovely, lifted perfume which leads on to a textured palate packed with pure red-cherry fruit and dense tannins. This will truly hit its stride with a few years in bottle. Drink 2020-2024.

A short tour of one of Sébastien Magnien’s vineyards tells all you need to know about his philosophy; each vine is perfectly manicured, with not a leaf out of place.  This attention to detail is reflected in his wines, which are precise, steely and mineral. Sébastien’s choice of picking date is guided by acidity rather than sugar levels, putting the emphasis on freshness. He declared himself very happy with 2017, comparing the white wines to 2014 but with perhaps a touch more flavour ripeness, and praising the accessible, moreish character of the reds.

This is a sunny, south-facing location which is situated at a relatively high 300 metres’ altitude and subject to cooling winds. These elements combine to give aromas of perfectly ripe red and black cherry fruit intertwined with lifted, floral aromas and sweet spice. Initially fleshy, the palate finishes with fresh, chalky tannins and vivacious acidity. Drink 2021-2027.

A short tour of one of Sébastien Magnien’s vineyards tells all you need to know about his philosophy; each vine is perfectly manicured, with not a leaf out of place.  This attention to detail is reflected in his wines, which are precise, steely and mineral. Sébastien’s choice of picking date is guided by acidity rather than sugar levels, putting the emphasis on freshness. He declared himself very happy with 2017, comparing the white wines to 2014 but with perhaps a touch more flavour ripeness, and praising the accessible, moreish character of the reds.

From vines planted in 1954 grown on classic claylimestone soil this has a brilliant mid-purple colour with a totally alluring dark raspberry bouquet. It has beautifully even fruit throughout, good concentration and structure with both tannin and acidity, and an immensely long finish.

Sébastien professes himself to be very agreeably surprised by the 2014s. He notes good phenolic maturity so could extract the Pinot fruit well, and riper flavours than 2013. Sadly he had yet another vintage of low yields for his whites, especially in Meursault. The wines are concentrated but should be attractive very young.

The wine has an attractive lemon and lime colour and, although the nose is full and properly ripe and also displays a fine mineral tension. It is lively and delicious, with a little youthful bitterness and some fresh apricot fruit in the mix.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

 

From old vines around Meloisey, the village where Sébastien grew up, this gorgeous cuvée is characterised by subtle floral aromas and, on the palate, a core of cool red fruit. Look out for Sébastien’s equally deft and delicious Hautes Côtes de Beaune Blanc. Drink now to 2023.
Will Heslop, Burgundy Buying Assistant (summer 2019)

From a small parcel planted in 1990, these young vines were picked early on 25th August. The wine has a fine spiciness and a tannic backbone which supports the wine well into the finish. The wine is rich but in no sense over-mature, with a floral, Parma violet note. Tasty and a touch piquant. Drink 2022-2027.

At the same altitude as Meursault’s Premiers Crus, but facing more easterly, this is the last vineyard before Auxey-Duresses. Sébastien has 0.44 hectares, two-thirds planted in 1977, the rest in 1993. The wine has his trademark subtle note of reduction, a lively lime-citrus note and a lovely lift on the palate, this time with lime-blossom. Drink 2021-2026.

One of the best sites in the Hautes Côtes, this vineyard is south-facing and stony. The old vines regulate the yields. The 2018 offers a lovely contrast between vineyard site and vintage, with the cool, chalky notes of the clos sustaining a nose of kirsch and cinnamon. The finish is surprisingly serious. Drink now to 2024.

Sébastien’s vines are neatly positioned at the top of the vineyard, and so abut the Premier Cru of Ronceret. He only has 0.13 hectares, so no more than three barrels are made in a good year. It’s easy to forget this is just a village wine with its classic pillowy perfume and generous supple flavours. Drink 2021-2026.