The Domaine of Gerard Mugneret dates back over a century, but it is in the extremely capable hands of Pascal Mugneret that its ascension has been noticed by collectors and critics alike. The name has a familiar ring, as great-grandfather Rene's brother Andre founded what today is known as Domaine Mugneret-Gibourg. Similarly situated in Vosne-Romanee, it is only recently that the two domaines' quality has been on par with each other.
Pascal left his career as an engineer to join the family's estate in 2005, with a desire to have a bit more freedom and control in his professional life; it was shortly thereafter that the nature of the work and the rewards of his passion began to intertwine, and Gerard's natural curiosity led him on a quest to creating what we now know as a house style.
The first monumental effort was to remove use of all chemicals, the first step into the biodynamic principles that Pascal has fully implemented today. It should be said that the effect of this transition is dramatic, as the plant learns to rely on itself and its roots, rather than chemical assistance. With time, great attention to each vine as well as to the soil, Pascal saw a wholesale change in the tangible appearance of his vines & clusters, as well as in the resulting wines; clusters would be less compact, allowing less disease pressure, the stems would be healthier and the roots deeper, and the fruit more profound even in hot or wet vintages. By 2019, the conversion as complete as one could ever claim it to be, every wine produced by Pascal has had 100% whole clusters for its fermentation, which undoubtedly provides an ethereal lift to the wines and greater complexity both in their youth and with decades of aging.
The work by no means complete, Pascal has continually pushed for better quality, and realizes it starts in the vineyards. Each year that he has under his belt with the impressive array of vineyard plots, his mastery of each of their unique qualities grows, and in turn our ability to purchase as much seems to wane! These are classy wines oozing with personality, a delicate spice and perfectly-ripe red fruits.
