Domaine Faiveley
2018Clos de VougeotGrand Cru Red barrel
Score: 92-94
Tasted: Jan 10, 2020
Drink: 2035+
Issue: 77
Note: blended from 3 separate parcels
Producer note: I met this year with both Erwan Faiveley and technical director Jérôme Flous, who noted that “the 2018 growing season was hot and dry but other than an early attack of mildew and a bout of hail on the 15th of July in Prémeaux and the southern part of Nuits, it was largely uneventful. We attacked the harvest on the 27th of August with our whites and the vines in the Côte Chalonnaise. We then moved to the Côte de Beaune on the 29th, picked in the Côte de Nuits from the 3rd of September to the 12th where we concluded with our Marsannay vines. Yields were on average around 40 hl/ha but with some notable variability for a variety of factors. For example the Côte Chalonnaise was actually less abundant than the Côte de Nuits and of course our vines that were hit by hail were naturally less generous. Potential alcohols were also variable with most wines coming in between 13.5 and 14% though a few wines below the range and a few above it as well. We did our usual vinification though in our cuverie which made things much more convenient. Nothing was acidulated either beyond a few cuvées of young vines which suffered from hydric stress and came in with very low acidities. We were also extremely careful about monitoring all the wines for technical problems and in particular volatile acidity and brettanomyces. As to the wines, they’re ripe yet not distortions of what Burgundy is supposed to be at its finest. They should also age well for years as they have the stuffing to do so.” (Frederick Wildman, www.frederickwildman.com, NY, USA; Altaya Wines, www.altayawines.com, Hong Kong; there are many sources in the UK, among them John Armit Wines, www.armit.co.uk, Berry Brothers & Rudd, www.bbr.com, Howard Ripley, www.howardripley.com, Haynes, Hanson & Clark, www.hhandc.co.uk, Clarion Wines, www.clarionwines.co.uk, Lea & Sandeman, www.leaandsandeman.co.uk and Justerini & Brooks, www.justerinis.com).
Tasting note: Here the aromatic profile is completely different with its relatively elegant and high-toned nose that consists of red cherry, raspberry, soft earth and humus scents that are trimmed in subtle wood nuances. The sleek, round and seductive medium-bodied flavors possess lovely mid-palate density and richness, all wrapped in a very firmly structured, dusty and balanced finale that flashes the characteristic youthful austerity.
