1980 Chambolle Musigny Les Amoureuses
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The 1980 Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses 1er Cru, which predates the arrival of Frédéric Mugnier, is far superior to one other bottle encountered two or three years earlier. This is very fragrant on the nose, so much purer and less fatigued than the previous example, with scents of red fruit, candied orange peel and wilted rose petals. As expected, the palate is fully mature, with plenty of simple tart red fruit and a lovely, poised, vivacious, almost zesty finish. This is an utter delight, although I would not leave it much longer.
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Neal Martin
Neal Martin
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The 1980 Chambolle-Musigny Les Amoureuses 1er Cru is the oldest bottle that I have encountered from the estimable domaine. Predating the arrival of Fréderic Mugnier, according to Clive Coates MW, this would have been made by Bernard Clair in Marsannay, the father of Bruno Clair. Most of the production was sold off during this period and so bottles under the Mugnier name are extremely rare. It has a light colour for a 1980. The bouquet is fresh, simple and clean, perhaps a little dilute at first, though it gains intensity with aeration. The palate is balanced and pretty, though it is bereft of the sensuality of Les Amoureuses. There is a subtle earthiness here, though it just fades towards the finish. It is a fascinating wine even if it is fundamentally an "average" wine from this vineyard. Tasted over dinner at Oswald's in London.