2023 Domaine Lucien Muzard Santenay Maladiere, Burgundy

30% whole bunch vinification. Two foudres (15 & 10 barrels) and a few more barrels to complete. A solid well defined ruby purple. The whole bunches do show in a crushed dark strawberry fruit, adds character. Full of fruit with plenty of tannins as well to keep it in harness. Should not take too long. A fine long finish. Well made. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted Oct 2024.

92 points Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy

Top 10 Best Value Producers in Burgundy , Clive Coates MW

Domaine Lucien Muzard is one of Santenay's benchmark family estates, with generations dedicated to expressing the character of the Côte de Beaune through traditional winemaking and meticulous vineyard care. Today, brothers Claude and Hervé Muzard continue that legacy, crafting authentic, terroir-driven wines that consistently rank among Burgundy's finest values. Maladière is a superb vineyard, producing wines of elegance, purity and understated power.

The 2023 vintage delivered beautifully balanced fruit, with warm days and cool nights producing exceptional flavour concentration while preserving freshness and aromatic lift. Careful oak maturation enhances texture and complexity without overshadowing the vibrant fruit or distinctive mineral character of the site.

Bright ruby with crimson highlights, the bouquet reveals aromas of wild cherry, raspberry and redcurrant layered with rose petals, subtle spice and delicate forest floor notes. As the wine evolves, hints of crushed stone, fine cedar and earthy complexity emerge, adding depth and refinement. The palate is beautifully poised, combining vibrant red berry fruit with silky tannins, lively acidity and a graceful mineral thread. Elegant, fresh and wonderfully persistent, the finish lingers with savoury spice and refined balance.

A superb companion for roast duck, grilled quail, mushroom pithivier, herb roasted chicken or a selection of washed rind cheeses. Delicious in its youth yet capable of graceful evolution, this is a beautifully crafted Santenay that rewards both immediate enjoyment and patient cellaring.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2035.