Domaine Faiveley
We have just received a parcel of five wines from the excellent Burgundy producer Faiveley.
For more than 180 years the love of wine has been passed on from one Faiveley generation to the next. The Domaine has always remained in the same family and always completely independent. Today Erwan Faiveley is one of the youngest directors of a Burgundy Domaine on record and for my money making the best of his wonderful vineyard inheritance.
Vineyards
Domaine Faiveley is one of the largest vineyard owners in Burgundy. Almost selfsufficient, Faiveley makes 80 percent of its wines with fruit grown in the family’s vineyards and nearly all of its Côte d’Or wines. Faiveley now owns a total of 125 hectares including 30 hectares in Côte de Nuits, 15 in Côte de Beaune and 75 in Côte Chalonnaise. These vineyard holdings include 10 Grand Crus and 20 Premier Crus spread over 16 Villages. In the Côte Chalonnaise Faiveley owns one of the largest Domaine in Mercurey and across the region it holds eight monopole vineyards. These comprise 38 percent of the Domaine’s total vineyards, including: in the Côte de Beaune: Beaune Clos de l’Ecu 1er Cru and Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru. In the Côte de Nuits: Gevrey- Chambertin Clos des Issarts 1er Cru and in the Côte Chalonnaise: Mercurey Clos des Myglands 1er Cru, Mercurey La Framboisière and Mercurey Clos Rochette.
Winemaking
The Faiveleys firmly believe that the quality of the wine comes first from the fruit and they are first class viticulteurs. Faiveley keep yields to a minimum through the controlled use of organic fertilizer and strict pruning. The development of rootstocks suited to specific soil types together with a high average vine age in the Faiveley vineyards also contributes to low yields. The finished wines are classic Burgundies with wonderful longevity, aromatics and a unique, elegant style.
Recent Developments
Until recently I’ve found the wines over extracted and impenetrable but I am delighted that a change in philosophy has clearly been made. The wines are more supple and elegant now.
Faiveley have recently appointed a technical director who has organised separate viticulture and winemaking teams for the Côte d’Or and the Côte Chalonnaise. Other projects include the building of a logistic centre in Mercurey, replacement of oak casks, label modernisation and replanting.
The style is more modern although the top sites are made with the future in mind.
2008 Mercurey Clos des Myglands (Monopole)
"We were very impressed with this Monopole from Faiveley. Red berries, mocha and wild herbs on the nose, lifted by pungent spices. A sweet, supple midweight with a penetrating, slightly green character to the moderately intense red fruit flavors." Tanzer 88 points
2008 Mercurey "La Framboisière“ (Monopole)
"Always a favourite Mercurey vineyard of ours. Slightly reduced aromas of redcurrant, strawberry, flowers and oak. Sappy, juicy red fruit flavors offer good intensity but less sweetness than the Clos des Myglands. Here the slightly tart acidity and firm tannins give the finish a dry edge." Tanzer 87 points
Gevrey Chambertin 2008 Dom. Faiveley
90 Points in Wine Spectator. "A rich and serious nose and good deep ruby colour.Gevrey gives you powerful pinot noir but with the same sensuous feeling on the palate. Still primary fruits like raspberry dominate,with a nice savoury edge. Drinking now but will age very well, and should be drunk with game and duck."
Nuits Saint Georges 2008 Dom. Faiveley
The nose of this Nuits-Saint-Georges 2008 opens with grilled-toasted notes, before revealing a few discreet aromas of exotic fruits. It is fine and elegant on the palate. The black fruit tastes go nicely together with woody hints giving charm and finesse.
Bourgogne Blanc 2009 J Faiveley
This special cuvee of fruit sourced from the Chalonnaise and Cote de Beaune has a tempting French oak and greengage nose, fine richnesson the palate and plenty of acidity given the vintage. Crunchy and delicious this can be drunk now, either on its own or with salads, fish, poultry.
Puligny Montrachet 2008
Faiveley have been adding to their Cote de Beaune vineyard holdings of late, buying good parcels of Meursault, Beaune and Puligny. This Puligny-Montrachet has a heady bouquet of apricots, fresh almonds and subtle toasted notes. It has a beautiful finesse and lovely structure on tasting. A few more years in bottle will benefit this wine for it to become a true beauty.
