2016 Domaine Michel Magnien, Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru "Les Sentiers," Burgundy - 750ML

92 Points – Vinous

Les Sentiers sits directly below Bonnes-Mares on the northern side of Chambolle-Musigny, a position that helps explain its combination of Chambolle perfume with more depth and muscle than the village’s most delicate expressions. Domaine Michel Magnien’s 2016 is particularly concentrated from the vintage’s low yields, yet retains the mineral definition and finesse expected from this well-placed Premier Cru.

Blend: 100% Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes: Dark cherry and raspberry lead into violet, licorice and savory spice, with subtle woodland and earthy notes beginning to emerge after a decade in bottle. The palate is concentrated but finely drawn, with dark red fruit, mineral tension and a supple texture carrying into a persistent, increasingly savory finish.

Structure: Medium-bodied with notable depth for Chambolle-Musigny, balancing fine-grained tannins against fresh acidity and a firm mineral core. The 2016 has moved beyond youthful tightness but retains enough structure to continue developing gracefully.

Drink Window: Now–2036. The wine is entering an attractive phase where its fruit remains present while secondary complexity is beginning to emerge. Further cellaring should bring more sous-bois, spice and savory nuance without requiring a long wait for accessibility.

Decanting: Give the wine approximately 30–45 minutes of gentle aeration if opening now, but taste it first; at ten years from harvest, extended decanting is unnecessary. Serve around 58–62°F in a generous Burgundy glass and allow its aromatic detail to develop naturally.

Les Sentiers is an appealing choice for collectors who value Chambolle-Musigny with both perfume and substance, particularly given its position immediately below Bonnes-Mares. The 2016 now has enough bottle age to be compelling at the table—especially with duck, game birds, veal or mushrooms—while retaining the structure for another decade of development.