A love of wine has been passed on from one Faiveley generation to the next for more than 180 years. The Domaine has always remained in the same family and today Erwan and Eve, the 7th generation of the Faiveley family, are at the helm and are keen to respect the traditions and savoir-faire of the family while looking to the future.
Domaine Faiveley believes that the quality of the wines comes from the fruit. To make sure they are able to get the best fruit and resulting wines, the team has invested in separate winemaking and viticulture teams in the Côte d’Or and Côte Chalonnaise, fine-tuned their barrel selection, and built a state-of-the-art winery in Mercurey. Last year, the family completed the renovation of their cellars in the heart of Nuits-St-Georges.
The result is classic Burgundies with wonderful longevity, aromatics and an unique, elegant style. Recognised as one of the finest producers in Burgundy, the Domaine continues to go from strength to strength under Erwan and Eve.
The appellation d’origine contrôlée (AOC) Chambolle-Musigny may only be used for red wine with Pinot Noir as the main grape. There are 25 Premier Cru vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny, and two Grand Cru vineyards. The AOC was created in 1936.
In 2008, 152.23ha (376.2 acres) of vineyard surface was in production for Chambolle-Musigny at village and Premier Cru level, corresponding to slightly over 800,000 bottles. Within the commune, there are also vineyards (on the flatter land to the east of the N74 road) which are only entitled to the regional Bourgogne appellation.
The hand picked harvest goes through a short prefermentary maceration before being vinified. For the duration of the 18-20 day vatting period, the wine is kept at low temperature. It is then matured in oak barrels for 16-18 months, in nineteenth century vaulted cellars which provide ideal conditions for raising wines. The proportion of new oak, which is susceptible to variations according to the vintage, represents on average two thirds of the cuvée. The barrels come from high-quality barrel makers and have been rigorously selected for their fine grain and light toast.
A classic winter, with average temperatures and rainfall, was followed by a much warmer March with temperatures around 27C. This brought bud burst forward by 10 days on the 4th April which proved to be catastrophic when temperatures dropped to -8C between the 5th and 7th April. The Chardonnay vines of Corton-Charlemagne and Puligny-Montrachet were badly impacted by the frost, given they were at a more advanced stage. Flowering took place between the 10th and 21st June, and it was fast and heterogeneous. May through to the end of July was cool and humid, with twice the average rainfall, but August saw warm and sunny weather which continued through to harvest.
Harvest started on 21st September in the Côte Chalonniase with white Mercurey, and in the Côte de Beaune with Corton-Charlemagne, Bâtard-Montrachet and Puligny 1er Crus. Volnay, Monthélie and Beaune Clos de l’Ecu. Picking began in the Côte de Nuits on the 23rd September with Grand Cru parcels being picked between the 24th and 26th September. Harvest finished on the 30th September with Mercurey Rouge, Marsannay and Gevrey Chambertin Village. The frosts reduced the yields considerably, harvesting around 20hl/ha for Chardonnay and 25hl/ha for Pinot Noir.
An ultra-elegant and intensely floral nose of red currant and raspberry aromas is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. There is a lacy and pure mouth feel to the lightly mineral-inflected medium weight flavours that possess plenty of energy on the balanced, cool and beautifully persistent finish.
Red Meat, Game.
Serve between 14º-16ºC. Cellaring potential: 10 to 12 years
Côte de Nuits, Premier Cru
100% Pinot Noir
Cork
13
Yes
No
