Domaine Faiveley Clos-de-Vougeot Grand Cru 2020

The Domaine Faiveley Clos-de-Vougeot Grand Cru 2020 is a wine of immense complexity and depth, representing the very best of Burgundy's winemaking tradition. This Grand Cru is crafted with meticulous attention to detail by the skilled winemakers at Domaine Faiveley. Based in Nuits-St-Georges, the famous Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825 and in more recent times, the domaine has greatly expanded its vineyards across the entire Côte d’Or. The grapes are entirely de-stemmed and fermented in a mix of new wooden vats for the top end wines and stainless steel for the lesser cuvées. Once notorious for being fairly austere, there has been less emphasis on extraction over the last ten years and the wines show increased freshness, purity of fruit and more judicious use of oak. A contender for one of the most improved domaines in Burgundy over the last decade.

In the Middle Ages, the monks of Cîteaux undertook works on this Clos which is surrounded by small drystone walls. It took them over 2 centuries to build the Clos as we know it today. The demarcation of the Clos was defined in the 14th century and the boundary wall was built in the 15th century. 82 owners currently share the 50 hectares of this iconic Burgundian Clos. Domaine Faiveley own 3 parcels, an indication of the sheer complexity of Bourgogne. 2 parcels are situated in the lower part of the Clos and the 3rd in the centre of the Clos near to the château.

2020 is a solar vintage yet the wines show a lot of freshness. The yields are low but the quality is excellent with a perfect degree of ripeness. Domaine Faiveley's Côte de Nuits wines have a beautiful typicity: they are concentrated, floral and fresh with all the finesse of their grape variety. The grapes are harvested and sorted by hand from the vines of deep marl soils of this region however the proportion of de-stemmed grapes and whole clusters varies depending on the vintage. The wines are punched down daily in order to extract colour, tannins and aromas from the skin of the grapes. After undergoing a 19 day vatting period, the alcoholic fermentation is complete. The free-run wine is run off using a gravity system whilst the marc is pressed slowly and gently in order to extract an exceptionally pure press wine. The wine is then aged for 16-18 months in French oak barrels (60% new oak and 40% one-wine barrels) which have been selected for their fine grain and moderate toast. Finally the wine is left to age in cellars at consistent, natural hygrometry and temperature.

This wine has a taste that is complex, bold and refined. The bouquet is inviting, with a heady aroma of fruity and floral notes of rose, violet, red and black fruits, like ripe cherries, raspberries and currants, mingling with subtle hints of earthy spices and toasted oak. The nose alone is enough to entice you to dive into the glass and explore its powerful flavours. The tannins are firm but velvety, giving the wine a smooth and supple texture that glides over the tongue. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a pleasant aftertaste that lingers on the palate. This well-structured and very persistent wine is an honour to the reputation of this exceptional Grand Cru. Drink now or will age gracefully with careful cellaring until 2045.

The wine has an inky dark colour and pronounced aromas of blackberry, fig, smoke and spice. The texture is lush, yet there are firm tannins and the wine never seems overbearing or aggressive - everything is kept in elegant balance. Faiveley is the proprietor of three parcels that total 1.27ha in the Clos de Vougeot, including a portion in Grand Maupertuis and two parcels nearer the bottom. The fruit was picked very ripe (14.5%) and partially destemmed before fermentation, with a very careful extraction and ageing in cask (half new). - Decanter, 96 Points

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - France
Region - Burgundy
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%