2022 Domaine Rion - Chambolle Musigny Cras (750ml)

Domaine Michèle et Patrice Rion began as a small holding the couple established in 1990, growing considerably in 2000 when Patrice left his family's original estate, Domaine Daniel Rion, to build his own. Vineyards in Nuits-Saint-Georges followed in 2006, including the monopole Clos Saint-Marc. Their son, Maxime, has steadily taken over daily responsibilities, and in 2022 Patrice's share of the family inheritance was folded into the domaine.

Les Cras sits halfway up the slope, facing due east, on shallow clay soil laced with crushed limestone; the bottling is classified at village level despite the name. Vines average around thirty-five years old, with modest yields near thirty to thirty-five hectoliters per hectare. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted, fermented in open stainless steel vats for about three weeks, then aged eighteen months in barrel, roughly half new.

The wine shows deep color with a bit of sparkle, its nose dominated by small red fruits, especially redcurrant, with white pepper and a lifted freshness. The palate is surprisingly chewy for a village wine, straight and tense, with minerality drawing the finish out to real length. It pairs especially well with feathered game like duck, pheasant, or quail.