As the year-end approaches, I often get asked what wine to bring for special occasions. It reminds me that, for several years, I only waited for these special events to open a large format bottle. A friend once told me it’s a shame because big bottles are, indeed, the best way to drink wine. So, on Monday, I headed to our magnum cellar and searched for some of the top magnum format offerings. The list I’ve picked today is perfect for your next celebration plans or, better yet, for indulging in a random evening just because you feel like drinking the best. I'm sure a few friends will be happy to help finish the bottle.

Any vintage of Krug Collection in magnum is special to me. My first experience with Krug Collection in magnum was back in 2021 when a dear friend turned 40. We opened a 1971, and it’s one of my all-time favorites. Bottles of Krug Collection are special because they receive additional aging in the cellars of Krug and are released when the Chef de Cave believes they are ready to offer a second expression of the vintage. Each bottle is individually numbered, further conveying their limited quantity and special nature. If you are looking to celebrate this year, our magnum Krug Collection, especially the 1982, 1985, and 1990, offer a great place to start.

 

It was extremely difficult to pick just one magnum from our Burgundy list, so here are my top two: 2018 Domaine Comte de Vogüé Musigny Blanc Grand Cru & 1990 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti La Tâche Grand Cru. 

Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé makes three wines from their Musigny Grand Cru plot. From Pinot Noir vines over 25 years of age, they make Musigny Grand Cru ‘Vieilles Vignes’. From vines under 25 years of age, they declassify the wine and name it Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru. The third wine they make from Musigny is a white, from Chardonnay - the Musigny Blanc Grand Cru. Out of 7.2ha of vineyard de Vogüé owns in Musigny, only 0.66ha is planted with Chardonnay, and from this small area, the same policy of ‘old vines’ applies. This already small, rare cuvée was ‘demoted’ on the label to humble ‘Bourgogne Blanc’ after the 1993 vintage, due to major replanting in the 80s and 90s. It was only with the 2015 vintage that the domaine felt it was time to return to “Musigny Blanc Grand Cru”. We served the 2018 in our de Vogüé Musigny + Bonnes-Mares Vertical Dinner back in 2022. Here’s Linden’s note on this wine: ‘Clear bright pale yellow; ripe and rich on the nose with notes of crème patisserie, apple compote and pastry; the palate is full, unctuous, already expressive and open in style. With an hour in the glass there is freshness, but the opulence of 2018 is quite evident, it is lush, vanilla-toned, luxuriantly sweet and ripe on the palate, though not heavy. It is quite soft-textured, right at the moment the generosity of 2018 is easier to find here than the Musigny terroir. Nonetheless balanced and well made. 93’. Just as I mentioned, it is a small, rare cuvée, and to have this in magnum bottle is extra special.

If you have ever joined our Fine Wine Experience Burghound Symposium Gala Dinner, you know that the La Tâche throwdown is always a highlight (take a look of the photo above). I’m incredibly grateful to our guests who generously share these bottles and create an incredible, memorable night together. A magnum bottle of this extraordinary monopole made by the one and only Domaine de la Romanée-Conti should create the same spotlight moment at your dinner. The 1995 displayed a floral perfumed nose and pure fruit character with aromas of dark cherry and dark raspberry combined with notes of Chinese five spice and Earl Grey tea. These flavours continued through the palate with a tension and lift to the fruit delivering a lasting finish; youthful still with lots of life ahead, but it was very enjoyable in its expression now. So, consider taking this magnum home as a treat for the upcoming festive seasons.

The 2010 & 2013 Screaming Eagle in magnums provide something special, and you hardly ever see them around. This winery was established in 1986 in Oakville, Napa Valley, by Jean Phillips who was a former real estate agent, with the vision of elevating a small piece of vineyard into a flagship among the finest Californian (and the world) wines. The vineyard, spread across a mosaic of plots with varied exposures and soils, is notably composed of gravel and clay loam and planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc. Needless to say, they are notoriously difficult to secure due to an incredibly small production and an extensive direct-to-consumer waiting list, it’s little surprise single bottles sold via auction fetch such phenomenal prices. So, they are expensive, but just as Jancis Robinson MW commented ‘Screaming Eagle is a legend, and the legend is almost invariably told by people who have never tasted it.’  

 

Another rarity in our magnum cellar is the 2012 Weingut Le Gallais (Egon Müller) Braune Kupp Auslese Goldkapsel Auktion. In 1954, Egon Müller expanded its estate by purchasing 50% of Le Gallais, including vineyard holdings in Wiltinger Braune Kupp. Then in 1992, Egon Müller secured the remaining half, establishing a complete monopoly over this exceptional 4-ha site. Le Gallais wines regularly achieve high prices at the annual Trier ‘auktion’, at which small production Riesling cuvées are sold each year at auction (rather than through the normal import distribution), and are selections with something special to show. I tasted the 2011 and it was produced with botrytized grapes for one lot of ‘Auslese Goldkapsel Auktion’. The wine was very much alive with fresh and dried fruits, acidity and creaminess were well combined on the palate as well as a long finish. If you like German Rieslings, this is a special one for you