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.
In the Middle Ages, people would call this plot ‘Petite Merveille’ (Little Marvel), the wines produced there being of such quality. Although no-one really knows when this clos or walled vineyard was created, we know that it already existed in 1508.
Total surface area: 7ha 30a
Exposition: East
Soil: Fine layer of silica
Domaine Faiveley surface area: 1ha 20a – (2,98 acres)
Years the vines were planted: 1958, 1984, 1989
Average annual production: 4,600 bottles
The hand picked harvest goes through a short prefermentary maceration first, before being vinified in part in wooden tronconic vats. After the three-Faiveley vatting period, Faiveley use a vertical press to obtain very pure high-quality juice. The wine 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, which come from high quality barrel makers, 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.
This wine, which has a generous and complex nose, shows rich aromas of toast and spices. On the palate, it opens with ripe and silky tannins, before showing its strength and its beautiful structure.
Roast Quail, Pigeon, Rib of Beef
Serve at: 14°-16°C. Cellaring Potential: 10 to 25 years
Côte de Nuits, Grand Cru
100% Pinot Noir
Cork
13.5
Yes
No
