Wines Chambolle-Musigny Domaine C.E.C.I - Aux Échanges - 1996

Viniou Reviews

The 1996 Chambolle-Musigny Premier Cru “Cuvée Aux Échanges” from Domaine C.E.C.I is a beautiful expression of Pinot Noir hailing from one of Burgundy’s most revered appellations. This wine originates from carefully tended vineyards within the Côte de Nuits, renowned for producing some of the world’s finest Pinot Noir. In 1996, Burgundy experienced a classic vintage marked by a cool climate, imparting vibrant acidity and wonderful ageing potential to the wines. The Premier Cru status of this cuvée highlights meticulous parcel selection, with grapes sourced from privileged plots, and vinification techniques that focus on elegance, subtle extraction and the patient development of complexities through extended cellar ageing.

Chambolle-Musigny is celebrated for the refinement of its wines, which often display a delicate interplay between red fruit aromatics, floral notes and a hallmark silky texture. The vineyards here are set on limestone-rich soils with patches of clay, providing excellent drainage and imparting a lifted minerality to the finished wines. The microclimate is moderately cool, ensuring that grapes ripen slowly, developing nuanced flavours while retaining fresh acidity. Historically, Chambolle-Musigny has been prized since the Middle Ages, and its small size ensures great attention to detail in vineyard work and winemaking.

For food pairings, this Premier Cru Chambolle-Musigny is best showcased alongside dishes that speak to its finesse. Traditional Burgundian fare such as coq au vin or duck with cherries would beautifully complement its aromatic complexity and subtle tannins. More generally, try it with a roasted guinea fowl, a wild mushroom risotto, or aged Comté to bring out the wine’s earthy undertones and persistent finish.

To fully appreciate the 1996 vintage’s maturity and nuance, open and decant gently about an hour before serving. The ideal serving temperature is 16-18°C, which will allow the delicate bouquet and fine texture to emerge gracefully in the glass.