Messager-Germain Fixin Blanc 2022

About Famille Messager-Germain
Simon Messager has quickly proven to be an impressive talent after taking over his family domaine in 2018. The domaine is located in the southern part of the Côtes de Nuits in Fixin, historically overlooked between Dijon and Gevrey-Chambertin. The distinct limestone-rich terroir of this appellation paired with Simon’s passionate “hometown hero” approach has catapulted him to push the limits of his craft. After learning modern farming and winemaking techniques at Domaine Robert Groffier Père & Fils, a domaine with very serious vineyard holdings, Simon returned to his roots.
Currently armed with 3 hectares of domaine vineyards and 2 hectares of négoce within the appellation, Simon is producing bottlings from the Coteaux, Bourgogne, and Fixin appellations. His bright bouncy reds and mineral-dense whites exemplify what these lush soils can yield. His focus on quality begins in his 100% organically farmed vineyards, where he spends most of the time. “Everything starts in the vineyard,” he says. His progressive work continues in the cellar with aging in 600L demi-muid, a low use of sulfur, and a significant percentage of whole bunch. The product is honest, pure, and incredibly fresh, both in the white and red categories. Simon has big plans up his sleeve in the years to come.
One of my favorite open-minded local tasters and Beaune wine industry members crowned Simon as a “rising star for sure”—I agree—and said his Fixin Blanc was closer to a Chassagne than a Côtes de Nuits Blanc. I prefer to say Simon is just succeeding in pushing the limits of what Fixin can be, rather than mimicking other wines from Burgundy.
Next up for Simon: Starting with the 2022 vintage, Simon and his wife Adèle launched the new family domaine ‘Famille Messager Germain,’ where all of Simon’s family vineyards will be incorporated. This includes new vineyards of declassified Fixin that will become re-classified. Beyond their various Fixin-based cuvées Simon will be making some impressive bottling from Nuits-Saint-Georges and Gevery-Chambertin starting with the 2023 vintage.
(stellewine.com)