Breaking News VINTAGE 2016

Transcription

1 Breaking News VINTAGE 2016

2 Côte d Or Reds - The 2016 Vintage (1/2) January, La Framboisière : (a monopole of Domaine Faiveley; vinified with 15% whole cluster). A moderately hightoned nose reflects notes of raspberry, cherry, violet and soft earth wisps. The mouthfeel of the middle weight flavors is at once vibrant and succulent while delivering fine depth and length for a Mercurey villages. Recommended. 89/ : (a monopole of Domaine Faiveley). A discreet application of wood sets off the pretty array of plum, earth and red and dark currant scents. There is a bit more volume to the medium-bodied flavors that possess a velvety mid-palate while delivering better persistence on the ever-so-slightly rustic finish. This too is quite good. (89-91)/ : A pungent nose consists of wood and reductive aromas. Otherwise there is good freshness and verve to the dense and serious medium weight flavors that flash outstanding minerality on the moderately rustic and builtto-age finish. This is very good though note that it will need at least some patience. (90-92)/ : (vinified with 25 to 30% whole cluster). An overtly spicy and floral nose combines a touch of wood with plum, blueberry and earth nuances. There is fine intensity to the relatively refined medium weight flavors that possess good drive and evident salinity on the austere and somewhat strict finish. This will definitely need (90-92)/ : An attractively layered and bright nose offers up notes of various dark berries, plenty of earth, spice and a touch of the sauvage. There is first-rate punch to the sleekly muscular and mineral-driven middle weight plus flavors that are quite firm if somewhat less strict though there is evident youthful austerity. This is also constructed to reward mid to longer- (90-93)/ : The airy and expressive nose is compositionally similar to that of the Damodes if perhaps with few spice elements. By contrast there is a bit more size and weight to the caressing medium weight flavors that possess a beguiling mid-palate texture though the natural rusticity of Porrets comes up on the nicely complex and lingering finish. This is very likely to tighten up considerably once in bottle so patience will be required here too. (90-92)/ : A broad-ranging nose features notes of red and dark raspberry, cherry, lavender, earth and a suggestion of the sauvage, all of which is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is excellent delineation and vibrancy to the overtly powerful medium weight plus flavors that also possess obvious muscle before concluding in a saline and lightly austere finish. This is quite firmly structured and will need plenty of time to reach its full apogee. In a word, excellent. (91-94)/ Chambolle- : (only one-half barrel produced as the yields were 10 hl/ha; vinified with 100% whole cluster and raised in a new feuillette). The effect of the new barrel is evident even though the nose is firmly reduced. The supple and attractively velvet-textured flavors exude a lovely bead of minerality on the lacy and racy finish where notes of both wood and mocha arise. Not surprisingly this is noticeably marked by its wood but it appears to have the intrinsic stuffing to eventually absorb and my predicted range implicitly assumes that it will do so. (91-93)/ Chambolle- : (vinified with 50% whole cluster and raised in a new 350 liter barrel). While the ble. The wonderfully sleek, intense and even more mineral-driven medium weight flavors culminate in a firm, serious and moderately austere finale. (91-93)/ Chambolle- : A wonderfully spicy nose combines notes of red and dark cherry with those of violet, lavender and Asian-style tea. The vibrant and beautifully detailed middle weight flavors possess a polished mouthfeel thanks to the refined tannins that shape the lacy yet entirely seriously finish. This is class in a glass. (92-95)/ Gevrey- : (from a large 1.2 ha parcel). Discreet wood easily allows the overtly sauvage and earth-infused aromas of dark berries and humus to shine. The intense, muscular and powerful big-bodied flavors possess good minerality that really comes up on the austere and sneaky long finale. Textbook CAM. (91-94)/ Gevrey- : (a.61 ha monopole of the Domaine). Here too there is enough wood present to warrant noting it along with plenty of earth and more floral elements adding breadth to the red and dark currant scents. There is excellent size and weight to the medium-weight flavors that are blessed with fine phenolic ripeness of the supporting tannins on the youthfully austere, energetic and moderately firm finish. (90-92)/ Gevrey- : This is aromatically interesting, and particularly so for LSJ, as there is an exotic character of dried yellow fruit to the otherwise more typical aromas of earth, humus, game and wild dark berries. There is a relatively refined mouthfeel to the tension-filled, muscular and mineral-driven flavors that culminate in a beautifully persistent finish that is moderately austere but not strict. Patience required. (91-94)/2031+

3 Côte d Or Reds - The 2016 Vintage (2/2) January, Gevrey- : (from a huge 3.96 ha parcel). Reduction and wood currently overshadow the underlying fruit. There is first-rate intensity and power to the concentrated broad-shouldered flavors that possess a velvettextured mid-palate while delivering outstanding length on the balanced and only mildly rustic finale. If this can add even more depth it c much destined for a long snooze in a cold cellar. (92-94)/ Echézeaux En Orveaux: Generous but not overwhelming wood fights somewhat with the otherwise very spicy and floral-scented nose of exotic dark currant and plum. There is terrific punch while preserving excellent detail on the rich, sleek and mineral-inflected medium weight plus flavors, all wrapped in beautifully long and complex finish. This has the stuffing to almost certainly absorb the wood and it should be excellent in time. (92-94)/ Clos de Vougeot: (blended from 3 separate parcels). completely mask the mostly red berry fruit, earth and humus aromas. Once again there is both good volume and mid-palate density to the mouth coating big-bodied flavors that flash a mild touch of rusticity on the impressively long finale. Interestingly, this is a bit less youthfully austere than it usually is and overall, color me impressed. (92-95)/ Charmes-Chambertin: (from Charmes proper; from yields of only 18 hl/ha). Much more subtle though by no means invisible oak sets off beautifully layered aromas of plum, spice, earth and a whiff of underbrush character. There is terrific richness and density to the velvet-textured and voluminous flavors that possess a real sense of mid-palate density thanks to the abundant level of dry extract that also buffers the moderately firm tannic spine. This is at once a relatively elegant version of the appellation yet it is also altogether serious. (92-94)/ Latricières-Chambertin: (from a very large 1.21 ha parcel). Here too the wood treatment is subtle yet just prominent enough to warrant pointing out on the cool, pure and notably more sauvage nose of both red and dark wild berry and earth scents. There is a really lovely sense of underlying tension suffusing the much more mineral-driven middle weight flavors that are not quite as rich but notably more precise on the chiseled and wonderfully refined finish. Textbook. (93-95)/ Mazis-Chambertin: (from both Mazis Haut and Bas where the two parcels total a remarkable 1.20 ha). A pungent nose of wood and reduction renders the nose impossible to evaluate fairly. Otherwise there is a super-sleek and intense palate impression to the imposingly-scaled flavors that possess more size and weight if slightly less minerality than those of the Latricières while flashing excellent length on the moderately austere finish. This is also textbook. (92-95)/ Chambertin-Clos de Bèze: (from a 1.29 ha parcel). This is softly oaky with a wonderfully spicy array of black cherry, pungent earth and evident sauvage nuances that can be found on the impressively rich and seductively textured broadshouldered and concentrated flavors that coat the palate with extract, all wrapped in a balanced, long and deep finish. I very much like the way this fans out on the strikingly persistent finish. Note that plenty of patience is a requisite here and it would be largely pointless to open a bottle before its 10 th anniversary. (93-96)/ Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Les Ouvrées Rodin: (a selection of the oldest vines in one of their 3 parcels). This is aromatically similar to the regular cuvée save for being even spicier and displaying a bit more wood influence. There is almost painful intensity to the super-sleek big-bodied flavors that possess a positively gorgeous mouthfeel due to a mid-palate that brims with sappy dry extract that coats the mouth on the hugely long and impeccably well-balanced finale. While this may change given that these are barrel samples but based on the two that I tasted, this is actually slightly less structured though I emphasize slightly. Either way, this is a seriously impressive effort that should age effortlessly. (94-97)/ Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley: Touches of wood and menthol can be found on the brooding and inexpressive nose of plum, dark cherry liqueur, freshly turned earth and a gamy note. There is an appealing sense of underlying tension to the concentrated big-bodied flavors that also coat the palate with dry extract while exhibiting excellent length on the balanced and very firmly structured finale. Patience strongly advised. (92-95)/ Musigny: Here too wood and menthol aromas are present on the firmly reduced nose. There is seriously good richness to the mocha and spice-tinged flavors that possess superb concentration while brimming with minerality on the driving, powerful and gorgeously persistent finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. This is classy and refined but like several wines in the range, very serious in the sens -term aging. In a word, brilliant. (94-97)/2036+

4 2016 White Burgundy by Stephen Tanzer September 2017 Tasting here in early June was an adventure as very few of Faiveley s 2016s had finished their malolactic fermentations. The company was in the middle of a major cellar renovation last winter, and with much of the roof open to the elements, the cold air descended and the cellars were considerable chillier than they usually are during the winter. On the other hand, Erwan Faiveley noted that because the levels of malic acidity in the grapes were low in 2016, the secondary fermentations were having little impact on the wines, other than perhaps introducing some transient oxidative aromas. Technical director Jérôme Flous described 2016 as a hot, heterogeneous, rich vintage, not very mineral a cousin of 2015 but with less concentration. It was also a very strange vintage, he went on. Two thousand sixteen may be closest to 2009, which was the only time we picked at the end of September without adding a gram of sugar." The leitmotif of the vintage is balance more than concentration or minerality, as with the 2009s, added Erwan Faiveley, who believes that the 16s will be soft and creamy easy to drink but with good complexity. The wines will probably not be bottled until next February or March Rully les Villeranges (finished with its malo; done in a combination of barrels and stainless steel tank): Candied lemon and wild herbs on the nose. Began a bit lean and citrussy but aeration brought more richness and density without loss of energy. A tad dried by its oak element but finishes firm and juicy, with good lemon-limey cut. (87-89) 2016 Ladoix (finished with its malo; from one large estate parcel on mostly deep, white soil; 2.5 of the 3.5 hectares comprise very young vines that were severely frosted in 2016): Bright straw-yellow. Complex aromas of mirabelle and herbs lifted by limestone. Creamy and supple but with lovely harmonious acidity framing the flavors of lemon, lime, spices, medicinal herbs, chlorophyll and crushed rock. Slightly dry on the end but shows good length. François Faiveley bought this land in 2001, then added half a hectare of Chardonnay in 2007 and replanted the entire plot in This should be a bottling to follow as the vines mature. (87-89) 2016 Meursault (80% of this fruit was lost to frost; as with the Meursault Blagny and Charmes, Faiveley farms this holding and purchases grapes; malo finished): Ripe aromas and flavors of yellow plum, apricot and menthol. Quite dry and firm-edged, finishing with a medicinal menthol quality. Best today on the front half. A high-ph parcel that went into this blend was slightly acidified. (85-88) 2016 Meursault 1er cru Blagny (malo finished): Bright light yellow. Vibrant scents of lime zest and stone. Juicy and rather tight on the palate; not a fleshy wine but pure, aromatic and penetrating, showing lovely energy and lift to its lime and orange zest fruit. Finishes sappy and firm but a bit youthfully edgy. Erwan Faiveley noted that the yield here may have been four times as high as that of the village Meursault. (88-90) 2016 Meursault 1er cru Charmes (malo finished): Pale yellow. Sexy hints of peach and mango on the nose. Creamy in the middle and surprisingly easy and open-knit today. (The yield here was normal, as with the Blagny.) An attractive midweight wine with moderate intensity, this premier cru finishes with a dusty note of lime peel, a touch of salinity and a slightly phenolic character. Faiveley noted that this wine is less concentrated than the 2015 and similar in balance to the (90-92) 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er cru Champ Gain (malo finished): Pale, bright straw-yellow color. Sexy scents of apple, ginger and nutmeg. Supple on entry, then juicy in the middle palate and more minerally than the Meursault Charmes. This is aging in 40% new oak but the wood element is subtle. Wonderful energy and precision here, conveying considerable éclat to its flavors of lemon, lime, crushed stone and flowers. The firmest and most minerally of these 2016 premier crus, not to mention the longest on the aftertaste. Offers superb potential. (91-93) 2016 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru (malo finished): Bright yellow. Candied lime, underripe pineapple and white peach on the nose, complicated by notes of bergamot and crushed stone. Plush and intense but youthfully reserved, conveying savory crushed-stone minerality; little oak showing despite the fact that nearly 50% was new. The almost painful rising back end features an element of medicinal herbs. A superb wine without any excess weight but still a bit disjointed. (The Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and Bâtard-Montrachet were just starting their malolactic fermentations at the time of my visit.) (92-95)

5 2016 : Special Report

6 The 2016 Vintage (1-5) January 2018

7 The 2016 Vintage (2-5) January 2018

8 The 2016 Vintage (3-5) January 2018

9 The 2016 Vintage (4-5) January 2018

10 The 2016 Vintage (5-5) January 2018

11 The Burgundy Briefing / Vintage Report (1/4) October 2016 En-Primeur Tasting Red 2016 I really like the next two wines. The richer Myglands and the lively Clos de Roi. Interesting as I tasted these blind and you might suppose the Clos du Roi (a vineyard so named should be a top site) could be the richer of the two, but not so - it is the more refined... given the stony and light soil. Mercurey, Clos Des Myglands This has a southerly exposure and a very red soil. The grapes are small and the yields are very low. The average age of the vines is 43 years. Ripe raspberry and frangipane. Smooth and seductive on the strike. Just nicely balanced acidity. Rather a generous Mercurey with good depth of fruit. Creamy in the middle and a slight bitter bite at the end. Decent amount of supple tannin. Score 15.5 From Mercurey, Clos Du Roi The terroir is stony and light. Deep cherry aroma. Juicy on the strike. Lots of delicious fruit. Soft tannins & sweet with a light and energetic feel. Score From 2019 Spicy aroma, white pepper. It is ripe, juicy and gentle. Soft tannins and ripe summer fruits, lightly rounded even a touch of black fruit and some liquorish at the end. Spicy finish % damage. Here we have more deep red fruits. This is sweet and succulent and plump. on the finish and noticeable minerals and this gives a freshness/sweetness. Score From 2020 Losses of 70% red. Dark cherry with some blackberry on the nose..quite ripe. Fruity strike. It is brighter on the palate than the aroma, much more red fruit here and very sweet and concentrated. There is just a touch of minerality on the finish. This is a very old vineyard - clipped edge and energy of this Volnay climat, but it is certainly has a depth of fruit. Score From 2020 *Pommard, Rugiens This is perfumed with high notes of flowers and red fruits. Elegant aroma. This is silky, straight, vigorous and intense. Tight, mineral and very fresh on the finish. This is Rugiens Hauts... So From 2022

12 The Burgundy Briefing / Vintage Report (2/4) November 2017 En-Primeur Tasting Red 2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges Sweet cassis notes here and spice on the nose. There is plentiful fruit, generous and juicy with a slightly robust note to the tannins, but nicely balanced with the sweetness of the fruit and the freshness. Concentrated, but also concentrated tannins. It has NGS frame filled with lots of fruit. Score From Three good premier cru follow. Not much to chose between them in quality, but very different in style. I prefer Chaignots and the elegant Damodes, which feels more like a Vosne-Romanee. *Nuits-Saint-Georges, Aux Chaignots There are purple notes on the nose, lilac. Sweet and supple tannins and gentle on the palate. Some light minty notes..this is interesting..this is nuanced and interesting...spice, orange zest, Jerome uses some whole bunch and it works well. Faiveley are on the down slope of the upside down L of Chaignots, lower by the road, yet it is like the top part in tasting it. *Nuits-Saint-Georges, Damodes An elegant red fruit aroma, pink peppercorns and high tones. Pomegranates on the palate. good energy and elegance..and that pink peppercorn finish. Rather a refined NSG. Score 18.5 Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Porêts Saint-Georges Victoria plums. Full burst of fruit on the nose. It is rich and ripe and generous. Full-bodied, succulent and juicy. There is burly power and depth. The finish is rich, long and spicy. Score From 2021 *Nuits-Saint-Georges, Les Saint Georges This is ripe, concentrated and intense. It is svelte, smooth tannins. the rich black fruit is neatly woven with freshness and smooth minerality. The finish is long and fine. It is more refined that Porets. Score From 2022 * 20% bunches. Not affected by frost (Bonnes Mares beneath was). Intense ripe raspberry aroma. Juicy and pure. It is ripe, but has a lively freshness too. It is elegant and intense and balanced. I like the flowers and minerals on the finish. Score *Gevrey-Chambertin, Vieilles Vignes From The palate is silky, lovely concentration of fruit, elegant, fresh and juicy. Very well balanced. Lively finish..just a touch of Gevrey bite and mineral at the end. A very good Gevrey village. Job well done. Score

13 The Burgundy Briefing / Vintage Report (3/4) November 2017 En-Primeur Tasting Red 2016 *Gevrey-Chambertin, Clos des Issarts toned...red. It is pure and lively and fresh with a saline minerality and tension. Red cherry, fresh, crunchy and salty. I like this delicate wine. Score From 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin, Lavaux Saint-Jacques 1 hectare of this climat new to Faiveley. Very bright on the nose. Lots of red fruits. It is silky, pure Issarts, not the depth of Cazetiers and more accessible than both. Fruit driven. Score Gevrey-Chambertin, La Combe Aux Moines Since I started in 2007 it has changed..i have worked hard here... This is intense on the nose with dark berries. It is juicy and pure and very fresh. It has a slight fresh, dark and vibrant wine. Score *Gevrey-Chambertin, Les Cazètiers Four hectares of this climats. They have different parcel from the richer and heavier terroir to the fresh and mineral. 40 barrels. more serious side. There is layering, harmony and intension. Very good indeed. Score Echezeaux 80% damage. Quite a spicy aroma, ground cardamon. Light, but also slightly green tannins. There is a bell pepper note. A bit thin and underwhelming. Clos De Vougeot Bold and rich on the nose. It is concentrated and juicy. It is butch and full. Plenty of rich tannin Vougeots, but go with the flow and bring out its more bullish and overt character. A full-on Vougeots. Score From 2023/4 Charmes-Chambertin Very intense and perfumed nose. It is rich and seductive and has marked sucrosity. Sweet tannins. It is very inviting. Soft wine with volume. Ripe and gentle, but I lack bit of freshness From 2022 *Latricières-Chambertin Cool and fresh on the nose. Bright red fruits and marked intensity. Racy. This is lovely - zesty, fresh and vibrant. The tannins are silky and there is tension to match the sweetness. Very good finish with cool minerality. This is very good indeed. Top notch! Score From 2022 Mazis-Chambertin Dark and wild but with floral notes...it is intense and silky, but reserved. There is a darker more brooding side. smooth tannins and good depth. There is sweetness and yet earthy qualities. I like this. Score 19.70

14 The Burgundy Briefing / Vintage Report (4/4) November 2017 En-Primeur Tasting Red 2016 Chambertin, Clos De Bèze Floral aroma...alluring rose petal. Rich strike to the palate. Succulent, full-bodied and really rather opulent. This is a generous and powerful Beze with lots of fragrance and with the tannins to support the structure. Minerals on the finish. Score /29th September harvest. ie between Rousseau and Pierre Damoy Clos de Corton This is rich and dense. This is a svelte elegance and sophistication and intensity. Vital and energetic and this has much more tension than the Rich fruit too. Top notch Score Whites Jerome. Puligny-Montrachet, Champ Gains White flowers and touch of citrus. Light and pure. I like the saline finish. Floral wine *Puligny-Montrachet, Garenne This is elegant, tight and pure. Floral and high toned. Fine line of minerals here. There is a precision and tension at the end. A notch up. Score 18 Corton-Charlemagne This has succulence up front, white pear and stone and very cool minerals. It is rich in this minerality. Power and intensity. Long and strong finish. Score Corton-Charlemagne 2015 This is rich, full and ripe. More orange ripeness with the pear. Full-bodied. The fruit is so rich it masks the minerals for at this moment in time, but this is a big wine for ageing. Long life ahead of it. Score 19.35

15 2016 Part I: Côte Chalonnaise from Bottle and Cask Sample by Claude Kolm (1-3) end of 2017 Erwan Faiveley said that harvesting on the Côte Chalonnaise began about 22 September. The wines provide outstanding potential. The word in the Côte d Or is that the wines of the Côte Chalonnaise are moving up in quality (ils bougent), and that includes Faiveley, where the quality has always been high Mercurey La Framboisière With the changes instituted since Erwan took over, the Framboisière has become a most reliable wine for early drinking (previously, substantial aging was often required). This wine shows great finesse, freshness and precision to go with the raspberry fruit that the name suggests (Framboisière refers to raspberries). Some whole clusters here. 90/A 2016 Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Myglands This wine was scheduled to be bottled a week or two after I tasted it. The nose is mineral, and the body is round with pure raspberry fruit. There s a bit more body and structure here than in the Framboisière. (88-91) 2016 Mercurey 1er Cru Clos du Roy The Clos du Roy shows great finesse and length to its raspberry and black cherry fruit. (90-93) 2016 Mercurey Clos Rochette This wine shows great minerality and is intense and penetrating with great energy. It should be a steal for what it is. (89-92) 2016 Part II: Côte de Nuits Premiers Crus from Barrel Samples Erwan Faiveley said that harvesting began in late September, sometime around the 22nd. There is a little bit of whole cluster in the Chaignots, more in all the Chambolles, and none in the Gevreys. Alcohols are all 13.5º or below, and except for two cuvées, there was no chaptalization at the estate. Malolactic fermentations were considerably later than usual because of the cold cellars, and so bottling will accordingly be retarded. Prices should remain the same as for the 2015s (presumably this is in euros, so they may change as local currencies fluctuate). All wines below except for the Amoureuses are Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots The Chaignots has mineral dark fruit, quality tannins, medium-weight, and good length. (91-95) 2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes Faiveley continues its recent string of excellent wines from this vineyard above Les Boudots and on the border with Vosne-Romanée. The dark fruit is crystalline, precise, and fresh an outstanding wine. (92-95) 2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Porêts-Saint-Georges Switching to the portion of Nuits south of the town, the vines planted in 2005 were hit by the frost, so this wine is made only from old vine gapes. There s very good finesse for Porêts-Saint-Georges in this wine and the dark plum and cherry fruit is supported by quality tannins. Medium-weight body. (91-95) 2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint-Georges Faiveley s Les Saint-Georges shows quite ripe (but not overripe) red and dark fruits with a smooth texture. There s length here and quality tannins. Those who especially prize ripeness will be even more than I. (91-95) Faiveley has an amazing trio of Chambolle premiers crus, but alas their quantity is extremely limited Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d Orveau This wine may not be commercially released, as there is only half a barrel of it due to the frost. Faiveley followed the methods it has used to vinify its Musigny when there was an equally small portion. From the vineyard just to the south of Musigny, the Combe d Orveau is dense, pure, crystalline, round, and ample. There s a lot of new oak showing at the moment, but the wine has the substance to integrate and absorb it. It should be a wine of grand cru quality. (94-97)

16 2016 Part II: Côte de Nuits Premiers Crus from Barrel Samples by Claude Kolm (2-3) end of Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées Directly south of grand cru Bonnes-Mares, the Fuées, too, is of grand cru quality. This wine is tighter and less ripe than the Combe d Orveau. It features red fruits, good tightness, and perfect balance. (94-97) 2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses Here, Faiveley produced 2 barrels, compared to 3-1/2 in a normal year. The wine is pure with red fruits and some dark, intensity, sensuality, and depth. In short, it is classic Amoureuses. Note: Faiveley does not own the land here, so the wine is sold under Faiveley s négociant label, Joseph Faiveley. (94-97) Faiveley s Gevrey premiers crus, while not as fantastic as the Chambolle premiers crus, are impressive on their own, nevertheless Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Combe aux Moînes The Combe aux Moînes displays pure, intense, deep red fruits along with minerality and sensuality. (93-96) 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos des Issarts The Clos des Issarts is a real insider s wine: a Faiveley monopole, it is located just across the road from Rousseau s Clos des Ruchottes (Ruchottes-Chambertin) and the resemblance is striking. The wine is nervy and energetic with red currant fruit, intensity, and penetration. (93-96) 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques This property came to Faiveley as part of the Dupon-Tisserandot acquisition a few years back. The wine is stony, energetic, and pure with dark fruits classic Lavaux Saint-Jacques. (92-96) 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers Although Faiveley generally wasn t badly hit by frost for its Gevrey holdings, the Cazetiers did suffer and so is reduced in quantity. The wine has dark fruits in a body that is round and tender. The animal/musky quality characteristic of the vineyard is here, and the wine is medium-weight with good penetration. (92-95) 2016 Part III: Red Grands Crus from Cask Samples 2016 Échézeaux En Orveaux The vines are not in one of the prime areas of Échézeaux, yet Faiveley generally manages to make very good wine from them, and 2016 is no exception. The wine is sensual with dark fruit, minerality, and length. It is medium-light on the palate. Only two barrels (600 bottles) made, which I compute to be about 5.4 hl/ha. (93-96) 2016 Clos-de-Vougeot Although relatively closed at the time I tasted it, the Clos-de-Vougeot showed depth, power, and intensity to its dark fruits and plenty of structure. (93-97) 2016 Charmes-Chambertin This plot, from the old Dupont-Tisserandot estate, is located just below Chambertin. (There is also a small plot in Mazoyères-Chambertin that in 2015 and 2016 was vinified separately and so is not a part of this wine.) The nose is intense, pure, and penetrating. The mouth shows ripe strawberry fruit with good energy and tension to balance the ripeness. (92-96) 2016 Latricières-Chambertin The Latricières-Chambertins I tasted from 2016 were excellent, and certainly Faiveley s is right up there. The wine shows great tension and energy to go with red and a little dark fruits. The wine is medium-light on the palate. (93-96) 2016 Mazis-Chambertin Faiveley s Mazis-Chambertin has typical dark plum fruits and is round with good length, but at this time did not show the tension or complexity of the Latricières-Chambertin. (91-95) 2016 Chambertin-Clos-de-Bèze Clos-de-Bèze is mineral and pure with dark fruit, tension, and nervosity. It is medium-full in body weight. Classic Clos-de-Bèze. (94-97)

17 2016 Part III: Red Grands Crus from Barrel Samples by Claude Kolm (3-3) end of Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley I haven t checked my previous reviews, but I can t recall a Corton-Clos des Cortons Faiveley as great as this one seems to be. The red fruits are pure and precise with finesse. The wine is light on the palate, intense, penetrating, and long. There s good acidity here and plenty of freshness. (95-98) 2016 Part IV: Premier Cru and Grand Cru Côte de Beaune Whites This selection is a good representative of the quality of 2016 whites from top sources; alas, availability remains the problem Meursault 1er Cru Blagny The wine is pure and nervy in the nose with lime fruit. The mouth features intense and penetrating lime fruit with great purity. It is an excellent example of wines from this area high on the slope. This is a Maison Joseph Faiveley wine. (91-95) 2016 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain Faiveley s Puligny-Champ Gain is sensual, mineral, pure, and medium-light in weight with outstanding energy. The wine previously had been Maison Joseph Faiveley, but beginning with the 2015 vintage, Faiveley owned the property and it became Domaine Faiveley. (91-95) 2016 Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet This wine is pure with power and finesse a classic iron fist in the velvet glove. There s still a bit of austerity, but of the noble kind. (92-96) 2016 Bâtard-Montrachet Here we have a broader wine than the Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet with more power and some hazelnuts coming through. (92-95) 2016 Corton-Charlemagne There was no frost here and so this is a wine available in more or less normal quantity, unlike the two previous grands crus. What I tasted may or may not be the final blend there is wine from vines planted in 2010 that was not included in what I tasted but that may finally be blended into the grand vin. I found the a most attractive floral and mineral nose. The mouth was still quite young with lime blossoms and outstanding finesse. Finesse and intensity are the hallmarks of this wine, but it still needed substantial time in barrel to age out. (93-97)

18 JASPER MORRIS January, 2018 Whites wines

19 JASPER MORRIS January, 2018

20 JASPER MORRIS January, 2018

21 2016 Burgundy Report Mercurey by Bill Nanson November 2017 Julien on 2016: 2016 brought us very good yields for whites; straight after the rain the grapes seemed a little diluted but we waited a few days and it worked well, because these are the best whites I ve made here I started in 2008! Similar in style to 2014, possibly. I consider the 2016s much more of a vin de garde style of wine versus the 2017 so far. Those frosted vines were really difficult to train afterwards some would push and others did almost nothing. Because lot of our vines lie between Rully and Mercurey, and also because they are later maturing, we were much less impacted by the frost. Those vines closer to the domaine suffered much more and we sometimes had only 8hl/ha of yield. In the end we only lost 10% of our reds in 2016! Some were 13 natural and completely clean We are a big domaine with 80 workers, so we can t play at this; we started the vintage bio, changed in the middle but still raisonée then back to bio again towards the end. We started our treatments quite early, so had very little problem with the mildew. 140 pickers did the whole 73 hectares in 8 days. The wines Volume and quantity don t always seem to go hand in hand, but at this address they usually do. Great stuff! 2016 Mercurey Vieilles-Vignes Bottled just before the harvest. A large cuvée that s worth 25 hectares, with the exception of the Frambiosiere all the villages vines are assembled in this wine. 11 months of elevage, 55% sold in France. Quite a volume of aroma, dark red soft fruit. Really a supple, beautifully soft textured wine. Pretty red fruit of very good depth I think that sophisticated is the best word to describe this wine, with a little floral impression in the finish. A beautiful package Mercurey Framboisière Bottled only 10 days ago. 11 hectares on a villages appellation, 25% whole cluster and a little more new oak 20%. The vineyard is in a small valley so has multiple exposures and sub-plots so it s not all picked at the same time, though elevage is all together. The oldest vines date from the 1940s. Some mid-slope vines are on limestone and the bottom has red soil and clay where the tannins come from. Less width. More depth of red fruit with an accent, an overlay, of spice. A little more volume and structure, but very fine tannin, much more complexity, a little less cushioning this has a little extra serious side versus the last and whilst delicious today, will repay some modest patience but I think I might be already drinking them after 1 year! Julien says that We think this very much on the level of a premier cru. I suppose versus some producers 1ers that would be the case, but here, I see this more as bridge between their villages and the 1ers. The following reds have not yet been bottled Mercurey 1er Cru Clos des Myglands Like Framboisière this is another monopole, only about 100m from Framboisière, extending over 6 hectares. Possibly to bottle in December, this has now been racked into tank. Another small step in the direction of deeper aromas, a little darker fruit, still. Supple, the merest trace of gas. Really an extra depth of flavour, a subtle accent of oak, very fine tannin. A burst of fresh, more floral finishing flavour that s very persistent. This is really excellent, and more than a match for many Beaunes this year Mercurey 1er Cru Clos du Roy White soil, facing directly south. This also in tank. Once more a little deeper and darker, this time with an accent of salinity there is also a little more width but less delicacy of fruit. More tannin there s no grain, it s just a textural drag, but here is a touch of astringency and salinity. Fine and floral-inflected finishing flavour. More-so than the Myglands, this is a wine for patience, but the quality is self-evident super Mercurey 1er Cru Clos du Roy Cuvée Favorite This is still in barrels, a particular parcel within these vines at the top of the vineyard facing south-east with a super plant selection with small grapes the first time I saw it, it looked to have a higher quality than the other vines so since 2014 I bottled it separately there s only 4 barrels but I think it a very high quality wine. About 30% whole clusters included here, it s really a manual operation to make in a small wooden fermenter, all done by hand. A fine nose, a little higher toned that betrays a little more wood but with an interesting mix of whole cluster spice too. Fine volume, really ethereal, there s not much weight despite the scale of the wine the flavours are complex oak inflected today but that will fade. More is not necessarily better, but this has so much potential. Of-course I d drink the villages or the Framboisiere today, but tons of potential here wait 10 years it s that good! The whites are not yet bottled will start in January/February I like the extra tension and precision that the extra winter of elevages brings, says Julien Montagny Blanc All from same hillside. No frost in this sector. 15% vinified in barrel, now all in tank. A really inviting nose of sweet but fresh, fine citrus, almost sherbet. A good width of pretty, and fresh, pure flavour. Not the biggest wine but one with a nice bubbling complexity and very tasty style. Particularly the finish is very engaging the best part of the wine. Yum 2016 Rully 20% vinified in barrel, assembled just before the harvest and still in tank. Also no frost here. Less overt aromatics but fresh and fine a nice delicacy here. Good volume in the mouth, the flavours being rather typically Côte Chalonnaise though with good delicacy. It s a delicious wine, but I had hoped for a little more 2015 Mercurey Clos Rochette 50% of elevage in barrel and like the other now assembled in tank. A more profound nose a depth of highly attractive, mineral notes and some reduction. A trace of gas. A freshness and a transparency that s really on another level to the last wine there is tension, not overt concentration but a delicious and pure width of fine flavour. Bravo. Have I tasted a better Mercurey Blanc?

22 The 2016 Vintage tasted from cask on 27/10/2017 (1-3) December 30, 2017 On my October 2017 yrip I had the opportunity to vist Domaine Faiveley to taste the 2016 vintage. [...] This time I tasted both red and a few whites as Domaine Faiveley now also makes some top end whites after taking over some very interesting wineyards from Domaine Monnot in 2008 including plots in Bâtard Montrachet and Bienvenue-Bâtard Montrachet. These whites now seem to be in place style and quality wise and should not be overlooked. Since my last visit I have tasted quite a few wines from recent vintages of Faiveley to get familiar with the style. I must say Erwan has come far in refining these wines and while these are big wines they seem to integrate the oak very well and remarkably quick and unfold and resolve in a refined way. For me it s important to follow the wines after bottling to get a better and firmer impression of how they develop to check if the initial impressions from cask are correct and also to be able to give some kind of advice regarding drinking window when to taste and when to drink the wines eventually. The Faiveley wines have come a long way regarding drinkability and tasting some 2013s and 2014s really underlined that Erwan and his team is on the right track so to speak. Faiveley is still investing time and money in better quality. One of these investments is the restoration and rebuilding the old winery in the center of Nuits-Saint-Georges a huge project that will be completed in Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru The Bienvenue-Montrachet is a magnificent glass and a lovely start to the tasting. The nose offer fine pure orchard fruits brought forward by a fine minerality and a touch of oak. On the palate intense yet elegant with considerable power and length. An elegant Grand Cru with oak already balanced very pure fruit and a lovely balance. Have little experience with the big Faiveley whites so allow me some slack to get exited this is a lovely glass. (Drink from 2028) Outstanding (94 95p) 2016 Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru The Batard is a step up in intensity and energy as one would expect given the character of the two terroirs. The Batard is however not only about power it s also a very refined and balanced effort. The bouquet offer intense white and yellow orchard fruits hint of hazelnuts infused with a both powerful and energetic minerality lovely citrus notes accentuated by the balancing new oak. On the palate tremendous length and balance a marvellous Batard in the making. A notch up from the Bienvenue in my view. (Drink from 2030) Outstanding+ (95 96p) 2016 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru The Corton-Charlemagne is doing great after the two Puligny Grand Crus and is shwoing the best sides of the Corton Charlie appellation. This is a top end Corton-Charlemagne and great to see that Faiveley is raising the bar even in this appellation given the quite high number of rather dissapointing Corton Charlies that are made. This is different in the bouquet plenty of cool fruit infused with a fine citrus driven minerality. This is detailed and energetic. On the palate lovely midpalate intensity and a excellent mineral backbone that provide excellent focus. An excellent Corton Charlie in the making. (Drink from 2030) Very Fine++ (94 95p) I must say I find the whites both interesting and appealing meaning that they are seamless and harmonious, and still the have character and a quite strong mineral impact and display of terroir. Note to self need to taste more of the whites from Faiveley Beaune 1er Cru Clos de l Ecu Beaune Clos de l Ecu is a monopole owned by Domaine Faiveley since 2003 when it was acquired from Jaboulet-Vercherre. It s a vineyard located quite high above the city (above Clos des Fèves) and one of the more prominent cuvées from the Beaune appellation in my view. Slight reduction but nevertheless lovely red and dark cherries in the bouquet fine earthy minerality. On the palate juicy and focused with a lovely intense fruit the Beaune appellation has produced some lovely wines in Lovely pure and energetic mid-palate fruit the terroir higher on the slope is yielding a quite airy and elegant Beaune. (Drink from 2030) Fine+ (92 93p) 2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Porêts-Saint-Georges Domaine Faiveley is one of the dominant owners on NSG Les Porêts a vineyard located just north of Les Cailles south of Nuits-Saint-George towards Premeaux. Faiveley acquired this vineyard already in 1832 as one of the first after the estate was established in The 2016 edition of the Les Porêts is a quite intense wine frost damage in parts of the vineyard. It s offer fine intensity, energy and balance more focused and lightfooted than the 2015 vintage of this wine in my view. (Drink from 2030) Fine+ (91 93p)

23 The 2016 Vintage tasted from cask on 27/10/2017 (2-3) December 30, Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots To the northern part of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation just north of Aux Thorey. This is also a fine NSG with a somewhat more vibrant minerality. The nose offer plenty of relatively dark fruit fine touch of earthy minerality. On the palate pure and quite energetic fruit medium weight with a nice mineral tension. (Drink from 2028) Fine+ (91 93p) 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos des Issarts Clos des Issarts is a Faiveley monopole located just north of the Clos de Ruchottes the upper part of Ruchottes-Chambertin owned by Domaine Armand Rousseau. It s a ha 1er cru that Faiveley acquired in 2002 after renting the vineyard for around 50 years. The small house/chateau located in the center of the vineyard has just been beautifully restored by Faiveley. The soil is limestone, and the terroir is a bit like the top of Ruchottes-Chambertin. The 2015 Clos des Issard is a lovely and vibrant Gevrey with a lovely cool fruit fresh notes of red currant and a filigree minerality. The nose offer cool red and dark berries brought forward by the floral limestony minerality. On the palate intense and energetic with a lot of detail and focus. I like the mineral style of this wine should not be overlooked. (Drink from 2030) Very Fine (92 94p) 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques The Lavaux Saint-Jacques is a more rich and supple wine than the mineral driven Issards. The nose is brimming with fruit generous yet cool with a nice mineral note. On the palate layers of juicy fruit red and dark berries lovely depth and charm nice stony minerality in the finish to focus the fruit. (Drink from 2028) Very Fine (92 94p) 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers Les Cazetieres is showing very well indeed and matching the Lavaux. The bouquet offer plenty of fruit fresh berries quite perfumed with a nice mineral touch. On the palate generous fruit well balanced and structured by the quite intense minerality. Quite forward and charming for a Cazetieres.. and with a very good intensity, presumably partly due to the frost and the reduced yields. (Drink from 2030) Fine++ (92 94p) 2016 Echezeaux Grand Cru En Orveaux The Faiveley Echezeaux comes from the climat En Orveaux in the northern end of Echezeaux. This is a low yield wine below 10 hl per ha harvested due to the April frost. This sort of sets the scene, as the wine is very intense and concentrated happily without loosing it s balance and freshness. The bouquet is brimming with fruit floral and vibrant with a fine expression of terroir. On the palate intense, long and powerful with plenty of stuffing it s an elegant wine vivid and vibrant with a nice acidity and minerality. A top end Echezeaux (Drink from 2034) Outstanding (94 95p) 2016 Clos-de-Vougeot Grand Cru The Clos Vougeot is showing very well indeed did not taste this in the 2015 vintage. This seem to be the year for Clos Vougeot and while this currently is somewhat backward it does offer both fine intensity and energy. In the bouquet predominantly darker berries, earthy minerality hint of chocolate and tobacco. On the palate intense and quite weighty fruit presumably relatively low yield as most wines produced in Clos Vougeot in It offers lovely acidity and energy to balance the intensity and while it s a bit introvert now (in October 2017) it shows lovely promise and balance. (Drink from 2034) Very Fine++ (94 95p) 2016 Charmes-Chambertin Grand Cru The Charmes Chambertin the old Dupont-Tisserandot plot is a magnificent wine proving that this large and somewhat notorious Grand Cru can in fact produce what I would call true Grand Cru quality. The bouquet offer layers of cool yet ripe fruit forward and with a nice minerality lurking in the background. On the palate plenty of fruit beautifully focused with a nice acidity and minerality. A more vibrant and focused wine than the rich and very generous 2015 a delightful Charmes in the making. (Drink from 2030) Very Fine++ (94 95p)

24 The 2016 Vintage tasted from cask on 27/10/2017 (3-3) December 30, Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru The Latriciere-Chambertin is however still a step up in quality from the Charmes-Chambertin in my view. The nose offers layers of cool and dark red fruit brought forward by the intense and refined minerality of this slightly overlooked terroir. On the palate cool, intense and vivacious fruit it s elegant and airy a tremendously balanced wine. (Drink from 2032) Outstanding (94 95p) 2016 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru The Mazis-Chambertin is somewhat backward with darker fruits plum and dark cherries. On the palate rich and quite on the dense side, rounded and tightly knit. It s a serious wine and somehow I tend to favours the Latricheres Chambertin also in this vintage and even the Charmes for that matter. (Drink from 2034) Very Fine (93 94p) 2016 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru The Chambertin Clos de Beze the regular cuvée is another step up underlining that Clos de Bèze and Chambertin are in a different league in the Gevrey appellation. This is a intense, tightly knit and still refined wine. The nose offer layers of red and dark fruit coating the intense minerality of the mighty terroir. It s remarkably elegant and refined for such a big wine hard to believe that the Ouvrées Rodin can be better! (Drink from 2034) Outstanding (94 96p) 2016 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Les Ouvrées Rodin Grand Cru The Chambertin Clos de Beze Ouvrees Rodin is a step up in detail and refinement a truly magnificent wine although I could make do with the regular cuvée also (I m very modest, as regular readers already know!). It s produced from a plot with vines planted in 1966 a special cuéee of Clos de Beze sold alongside the standard Clos de Beze. The nose is brimming with layers cool fruit vivacious, quite exuberant and driven by a deep and intense minerality. On the palate intense, refined and very long indeed with a gorgeous mid-palate fruit. In my mind it s not quite matching the extraordinary 2015 but who is counting points a top end wine in the vintage nevertheless. Perhaps more classic style wise for those who really care! (Drink from 2036) Outstanding+ (95 96p) 2016 Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru The Corton Clos des Corton made from a large plot at the top of the Corton hill is a quite exceptional wine and by some margin the best red Corton I have tasted. The bouquet in crammed with sweet red and dark fruit detailed, refined and complex with a airy and zen like beauty. On the palate intense, harmonious, deep and long an effortless display of concentration and balance. The mid-palate fruit is both sweet, generous and juicy effortless display of energy in a vibrant and long finish. I do feel that this wine deserve it so an extraordinary Corton in the making. Perhaps I m too generous but was quite stunned to taste this beauty. (Drink from 2036) Extraordinary (96 97p) 2016 Musigny Grand Cru In 2016 both plots of Musigny are blended in one cuvée so both fruit from the plot bought from Dufouleur and from the old Faiveley plots. Not full production though as frost damaged the top part of the Dufouleur plot. The result should be around 400 bottles left after I tasted a bit. My reference here is the Dufouleur cask of 2015 and stylewise we are in the same league. This is for me a refined Musigny and not a power wine. The oak is now a bit forward (coming from three small barrels) but layers of vibrant and juicy fruit are lurking underneath. The bouquet offer layers of airy fruit vibrantly infused with the powerful limestone minerality of the mighty Musigny terroir. On the palate juicy, effortless and very harmonious with the minerality coated by layers of harmonious fruit. Cool refinement a regal feel.. (Drink from 2036) Extraordinary (95 97p)

25 DOMAINE FAIVELEY 8, rue du Tribourg Nuits-Saint-Georges - France Site internet Facebook Twitter Tél. : +33 (0) contact@domaine-faiveley.com