If Burgundy had a signature perfume, it would smell like Chambolle-Musigny. This small village in the Côte de Nuits makes Pinot Noir with more lift and fragrance than its neighbours: red cherry, raspberry, violets and rose petals over fine, silky tannins. Here you can buy Chambolle-Musigny wine at every level, including the two Grands Crus, Musigny and Bonnes-Mares, sourced from specialist wine merchants across Europe.
Why Chambolle-Musigny wine tastes so different
The answer is under your feet. Chambolle sits between Morey-Saint-Denis to the north and Vougeot to the south, on an east-facing slope at roughly 250 to 300 metres. The topsoil is thin and the limestone underneath is unusually rich in active lime, with little clay. Roots have to push down through cracks in the rock, and the result is wine that is paler and more aromatic than the sturdier reds of Gevrey or Morey. It is often described as the most feminine red of the Côte de Nuits, which really means floral elegance rather than power.
The appellation dates from 1936 and covers red wine only at village and premier cru level, made from Pinot Noir. Village Chambolle is the easiest way in, and producers like Lignier-Michelot, David Duband, Arlaud and Hubert Lignier make supple, perfumed bottles that drink well within five to eight years.
Chambolle-Musigny premier cru: Les Amoureuses and the rest
There are 24 premiers crus. Les Amoureuses, about 5.4 hectares of fossil-rich clay-limestone right next to Musigny, is the famous one and often sells at Grand Cru prices.
Ghislaine Barthod is the name to know for premiers crus. Her Les Cras, Les Fuées, Les Véroilles, Les Baudes and Aux Beaux Bruns show how much a few hundred metres changes a wine. Georges Roumier, Robert Groffier, Joseph Drouhin and Comte Georges de Vogüé all make Amoureuses worth hunting down.
The Grands Crus: Musigny and Bonnes-Mares
We include both Grands Crus on this page, because both belong to Chambolle. Musigny, around 10.8 hectares at the southern end of the village next to Clos de Vougeot, is the more ethereal of the two: layered, weightless and extraordinarily long. It is also the only Grand Cru in the Côte de Nuits that makes white wine as well as red. Comte Georges de Vogüé, the largest owner, declassified its young-vine Musigny Blanc to Bourgogne Blanc for over two decades and only returned it to Grand Cru status with the 2015 vintage. Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier and Domaine de la Vougeraie are two more producers worth tasting.
Bonnes-Mares lies at the northern edge, with 13.5 hectares in Chambolle and a further 1.5 hectares spilling over into Morey-Saint-Denis. Heavier red soils on the Morey side give backbone, while the white, fossil-rich limestone on the Chambolle side adds perfume. Expect a broader, more tannic wine than Musigny that rewards patience. Roumier, de Vogüé, Groffier, Dujac, Drouhin-Laroze and Domaine de la Vougeraie all bottle one.
Want a bottle with age already on it? Browse our vintage wine selection too.
Frequently asked questions about Chambolle-Musigny wine and vineyards
What does Chambolle-Musigny taste like?
Red cherry and raspberry with violet and rose, fine tannins and fresh acidity. It is paler and more aromatic than most Côte de Nuits reds.
What is the difference between village, premier cru and Grand Cru?
Village wines come from vineyards across the commune. Premier cru wines come from one of 24 classified sites and usually show more depth. Musigny and Bonnes-Mares are the two Grands Crus, the top tier of Burgundy.
How long should I age Chambolle-Musigny?
Village wines open up after a few years. Premiers crus usually want longer, and Musigny or Bonnes-Mares can improve for decades in a good vintage.
Is there white Chambolle-Musigny?
Not at village or premier cru level. The only white is Musigny Blanc Grand Cru, made in tiny quantities. For white Burgundy with more availability, try Meursault.
What food goes with Chambolle-Musigny?
Roast duck, guinea fowl, veal and mushroom dishes all work well.