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 Vintage2016 Label 1 of 10 
TypeRed
ProducerMaison de Grand Esprit (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
DesignationL'Être Magique
Vineyardn/a
CountryFrance
RegionBurgundy
SubRegionn/a
AppellationBourgogne
UPC Code(s)012354002234, 012354002241

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2020 and 2025 (based on 7 user opinions)

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 87.6 pts. and median of 88 pts. in 42 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by davidspieker on 2/23/2024 & rated 88 points: Clear lite red color. Lighter style with earthy cherry flavors and decent finish. (205 views)
 Tasted by fmginc on 2/8/2024 & rated 88 points: sorry all gone (193 views)
 Tasted by fmginc on 1/31/2024 & rated 88 points: Good note on the light side (195 views)
 Tasted by fmginc on 1/31/2024 & rated 88 points: Good note (208 views)
 Tasted by fmginc on 1/31/2024 & rated 88 points: Light (221 views)
 Tasted by UpfromtheCellar on 5/22/2023 & rated 88 points: This bottle is showing a thinner blue fruit (with a nice touch of minerality!) dominate version of PN, but its so nicely balanced that its a perfect wine for lighter fare that calls for something other than a rose.

Drinking nicely at 7 years out but definitely don't cellar this for any reason other than you accidently lost it amongst your racks. I see a lot of bottles in peoples cellars. Don't. You'll miss what is special about this wine. (369 views)
 Tasted by Epic Tale on 5/11/2023 & rated 88 points: (Day 3) - color: pale ruby; nose: stewed strawberries; taste: medium-bodied mouth feel, tastes of red fruit and dried herbs (thyme?) with black pepper on the finish, medium acidity, light+ tannins; overall: pleasant HH or picnic wine, still drinking well as of Spring 2023, pairs well with smoked duck breast, good QPR (346 views)
 Tasted by RWG on 12/25/2022 & rated 88 points: Really nice over 3 nights. (464 views)
 Tasted by UpfromtheCellar on 6/27/2022 & rated 88 points: Super easy, balanced light quaffer with more of a mineral acid focus but still, lots of fresh berry cherry surrounds. (631 views)
 Tasted by UpfromtheCellar on 2/15/2022 & rated 89 points: Delightful. Fragrant, light but balanced wine, paired well with cedar planked salmon. Bottle didn't last until seconds. (850 views)
 Tasted by AAW_RightWine on 12/26/2021 & rated 83 points: Decanted for an hour ... does not help (744 views)
 Tasted by fmginc on 11/13/2021 & rated 88 points: Nice light garnet red softened fruit notes with a clean finish (821 views)
 Tasted by jmcmchi on 10/26/2021: Distinctly on the downswing. A basic Burgundy not built to last (803 views)
 Tasted by SGates on 10/3/2021 & rated 86 points: Nice inexpensive Pinot. Good to drink chilled on a picnic, not much more than one note but ok for $14. (691 views)
 Tasted by Baron Slick on 9/4/2021 & rated 88 points: Nice entry-level Burgundy, exhibiting red fruit and peppercorn aromas. Crisp, fresh, balanced, and tasty. Good with food too. (361 views)
 Tasted by Brian Glas on 7/5/2021 & rated 88 points: A pretty simple one dimensional red. Still well made and a nice easy summer drinker. It was pretty cheap. (636 views)
 Tasted by lelandinmichigan on 5/18/2021 & rated 88 points: Cranberry red color,
Light and clear.
Faded, almost soapy aromas.
Gentle red fruit with a texture that provides just enough character to give the wine a passing grade. Simple but good with food. (617 views)
 Tasted by Brian Glas on 4/26/2021 & rated 89 points: Good solid value. Much better than some of the meh Burgundy Pinot's that I have paid up to $50 for. Nice crunchy red berry fruit. Medium + acid. Medium - tannins. Not very bold but the fruit hangs on the palate. Not too complex. Great QPR as I picked these up for $14 a bottle at Garagiste. (633 views)
 Tasted by AussieRoddy on 4/9/2021 & rated 86 points: Light somewhat translucent ruby with a touch of rust in color, sherry like look. Alcohol on the nose with unfortunately a mild touch of vinegar, maybe turning over its peak. Lighter bodied. Quite some acidity and interesting green vine tannins on the palate with some front palate cherry. A lightweight burgundy, not my style, and i might have caught on the downside, but still ok right now. (560 views)
 Tasted by davidspieker on 3/8/2021 & rated 88 points: Consumed at a dinner party. Lighter in style with nice cherry flavors and decent finish. (648 views)
 Tasted by Burgundy Al on 2/25/2021 & rated 86 points: Bright red cherry with slightly sweet hints, overall medium weight and good balance. Certainly a pleasant and enjoyable enough Bourgogne that takes advantage of the charming 2016 vintage nicely. Drink now through the next 3 or 4 years. (1264 views)
 Tasted by fingers on 1/20/2021: Second bottle. Same score, but now I LIKE it. ;)
It's definitely a lunchtime salad-by-the-pool kind of wine, before anything else has a chance to bombard your palate. But it fully scratches my "under 12.5% abv" itch. (982 views)
 Tasted by Stefano_nyc on 12/19/2020 & rated 83 points: The last bottle I have of this, and for some reason it is worse than the others. (643 views)
 Tasted by fingers on 11/19/2020 & rated 87 points: Notes after 4 hours. Clear ruby with a splash of garnet hue, no sediment. Light nose that is very green and brushy at first but relaxes into dried cherry and cola notes. Light to medium body, ample acidity and soft and gentle tannins. Crunchy cherry and apple flavors with a few hints of oak and peppery spice. Still a little young.
5+10+15+7= 87 (1029 views)
 Tasted by Snowey on 10/31/2020: Good qpr at $16 shipped. Nose was a bit muted but still showed through. Flavors had nice acidity, tannins, and sweetness though pretty simple. Day 2 flavors declined a bit but fruit was still enjoyable. More enjoyable than many west coast fruit fests I have had for sub-$20 (720 views)
 Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine...

Professional 'Channels'
By Sara d'Amato
WineAlign (1/2/2019)
(Maison De Grand Esprit L'être Magique Bourgogne, Ac red) Subscribe to see review text.
By Michael Godel
WineAlign (12/27/2018)
(Maison De Grand Esprit L'être Magique Bourgogne, Ac red) Subscribe to see review text.
By John Szabo, MS
WineAlign (12/20/2018)
(Maison De Grand Esprit L'être Magique Bourgogne, Ac red) Subscribe to see review text.
By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (12/6/2017)
(Maison de Grand Esprit Bourgogne L'Être Magique, Red, France) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of WineAlign and JamesSuckling.com. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Maison de Grand Esprit

Producer website

Pinot Noir

Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.


Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.

Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.

The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.

Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.

In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.

With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.

Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.

France

Vins de France (Office National Interprofessionnel des Vins ) | Pages Vins, Directory of French Winegrowers | French Wine (Wikipedia)

Wine Scholar Guild vintage ratings

2018 vintage: "marked by a wet spring, a superb summer and a good harvest"
2019 vintage reports
2021: "From a general standpoint, whether for white, rosé or red wines, 2021 is a year marked by quality in the Rhône Valley Vineyards. Structured, elegant, fresh and fruity will be the main keywords for this new vintage."
2022 harvest: idealwine.info | wine-searcher.com

Burgundy

Les vins de Bourgogne (Bureau interprofessionnel des vins de Bourgogne) (and in English)

Burgundy - The province of eastern France, famous for its red wines produced from Pinot Noir and its whites produced from Chardonnay. (Small of amounts of Gamay and Aligoté are still grown, although these have to be labeled differently.) The most famous part of the region is known as the Cote d'Or (the Golden Slope). It is divided into the Cote de Beaune, south of the town of Beaune (famous principally for its whites), and the Cote de Nuits, North of Beaune (home of the most famous reds). In addition, the Cote Chalonnaise and the Maconnais are important wine growing regions, although historically a clear level (or more) below the Cote d'Or. Also included by some are the regions of Chablis and Auxerrois, farther north.

Burgundy Report | Les Grands Jours de Bourgogne - na stejné téma od Heleny Baker

# 2013 Vintage Notes:
* "2013 is a vintage that 20 years ago would have been a disaster." - Will Lyons
* "low yields and highly variable reds, much better whites." - Bill Nanson
* "Virtually all wines were chaptalised, with a bit of sugar added before fermentation to increase the final alcohol level." - Jancis Robinson

# 2014 Vintage Notes:
"We have not had such splendid harvest weather for many years. This will ensure high quality (fragrant, classy and succulent are words already being used) across the board, up and down the hierarchy and well as consistently from south to north geographically apart from those vineyards ravaged by the hail at the end of June." - Clive Coates

# 2015 Vintage Notes:
"Low yields and warm weather allowed for ample ripeness, small berries and an early harvest. Quality is looking extremely fine, with some people whispering comparisons with the outstanding 2005 vintage. Acid levels in individual wines may be crucial." - Jancis Robinson

# 2017 Vintage Notes:
"Chablis suffered greatly from frost in 2017, resulting in very reduced volumes. As ever, the irony seems to be that what remains is very good quality, as it is in the Côte d’Or. Cooler nights across the region have resulted in higher-than-usual acidity, with good conditions throughout the harvest season allowing for ripe, healthy fruit." - Jancis Robinson

# 2018 Vintage Notes:
"The most successful region for red Burgundy in 2018 was the Côte de Beaune. The weather was ideal in this area, with just enough sunlight and rain to produce perfectly balanced wines naturally." - Vinfolio

Bourgogne

Bourgogne AOC (Terroir-France)

 
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