DOMAINE FELETTIG Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2023 Bottle

Description

IN BRIEF
Domaine Felettig Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2023 is perfumed and poised: translucent ruby with a bright rim, offering wild strawberry, red cherry and rose petal over a savoury sous-bois of crushed mushroom and ironstone. Light soils and old vines give aromatic intensity and silk-like texture. Gentle whole-bunch, soft extraction and modest new French oak preserve primary perfume while building fine, powdery tannins. Bright acidity lifts the palate; a mid-palate seam of beetroot and earthy mushroom adds complexity, finishing saline with dried rose and a whisper of liquorice. Drink 2026–2038, served slightly chilled. Matches roast poussin, mushroom fricassée or venison. Critic: Dunell’s 94 (“silky”). Elegant, refined and rewarding with cellaring. Shows graceful density and a lingering, poised, very food-friendly finish, indeed beautifully.

ABOUT THIS WINE
Domaine Felettig Chambolle-Musigny Vieilles Vignes 2023 is crafted from old vines on light, well-drained soils that encourage early ripening and aromatic intensity. The 2023 season in the Côte de Nuits was warm, with cooler nights that preserved freshness, producing generous phenolic ripeness alongside bright natural acidity. This cuvée is pure Pinot Noir, vinified with careful whole-bunch inclusion depending on the parcel and handled with soft pump-overs to extract fine tannin. Elevage occurs in French oak, of which a modest proportion is new, intended to provide structure and spice while allowing the primary perfume to remain front and centre.

The wine presents as a translucent ruby with a youthful, bright rim and immediately reveals a floral perfume. The nose is quintessential Chambolle, featuring wild strawberry, red cherry, and a fragrance of rose petal and raspberry leaf. Beneath the fruit lies a savoury thread of sous-bois, crushed mushrooms, and a hint of ironstone that grounds the aromatics. Subtle oak contributes a warmth of cinnamon and a suggestion of clove rather than overt toast.

On the palate, the texture is silk-like and finely structured. The entry is lifted and precise, led by red berry fruit, before a savoury seam of beetroot and earthy mushrooms emerges to add complexity. The tannins are delicate and powdery yet present enough to provide shape and length. Acidity is lively, boosting the profile and seasoning the finish, which carries a saline mineral whisper alongside a return of dried rose and a faint echo of liquorice.

Suggested drinking window: 2026 to 2038. Serve slightly chilled at around 14 degrees Celsius. Food pairings that complement its finesse include roast poussin with thyme and lemon, pan-seared scallops with a brown butter and sage sauce, wild mushroom fricassée, duck à l'orange, or a soft-ripened cheese such as Époisses. For something heartier, consider venison loin with juniper or a slow-roasted shoulder of lamb with rosemary. Overall, this is an elegant, perfumed Chambolle with poise, finesse, and rewarding ageing potential.

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ABOUT DOMAINE FELETTIG
Domaine Felettig is a family-run winery located in the village of Mittelbergheim in Alsace, renowned for producing expressive, terroir-driven wines that reflect the varied limestone and marl soils of the region. The estate encompasses several small plots across prime village sites and practices attentive viticulture to highlight the distinct character of each parcel. Vines are planted to classic Alsace varieties, including Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Muscat, with smaller holdings of Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir.

The domaine is owned and managed by the Felettig family, who have tended these vineyards for generations. The current management emphasises a balance between tradition and careful modernisation. Vineyard work focuses on canopy management, yield control, and selective hand harvesting to preserve freshness and allow for optimal ripeness. The family has invested in soil health and sustainable practices, and many parcels are farmed with reduced chemical inputs and techniques that encourage biodiversity.

Winemaking at Domaine Felettig seeks to express varietal purity and site specificity. Grapes are typically hand-harvested, gently pressed, and vinified with careful temperature control to maintain aromatic clarity. Fermentations utilise native or selected yeasts depending on the cuvée and are monitored to ensure a balance between fruit and acidity. Lees ageing and judicious use of neutral oak or large format vessels add texture where needed while avoiding overt wood influence. The cellar team practices parcel-by-parcel vinification, enabling precise blending that reflects the character of each vintage.

The domaine produces a broad range of wines, from fresh, dry whites to richer late harvest bottlings. Their dry Rieslings are noted for their crisp citrus and mineral drive, accompanied by a precise saline finish. Gewurztraminer and Pinot Gris often display aromatic depth and ripe stone fruit while retaining lift. For sweet wine enthusiasts, the estate crafts Vendange Tardive and Sélection de Grains Nobles in suitable years, showcasing botrytis-influenced honeyed complexity balanced by lively acidity.

Overall, Domaine Felettig offers a true expression of Alsace, where careful vineyard management, family continuity, and precise cellar practices result in wines that are both immediately enjoyable and worthy of ageing.