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.
This Grand Cru gets its name from some little houses or “Mazis”, that once stood on this plot.
Total surface area: 9ha 10a
Exposition: East
Soil: Shallow
Domaine Faiveley surface area: 1ha 20a (2,97 acres)
Years the vines were planted: 1937, 1959, 1974
Average annual production: 5,800 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 juices. 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.
2017 is an early vintage. Harvests started on August 29th, the grape clusters were dense and compact thanks to excellent flowering in late May. Favourable climate conditions gave charm and generosity to the wines. 2017 is a classic style of vintage that can also be enjoyed in its youth.
Colour is medium-deep purple-ruby, with rich, smoky, intricate aromas. Palate has power and depth of fruit, with structure, richness, freshness and energy. It’s the balance of everything you expect from a Gevrey-Chambertin Grand Cru!
Steak in a mushroom sauce, game stew, glazed duck breast,roast saddle of lamb
Serve at 14°-16°C. Cellaring Potential: 10 to 25 years
96 points Decanter The palest of the Faiveley family’s mouthwatering array of grand cru reds, this is almost indecently scented, sensuous and appealing. Red cherry and raspberry fruit flavours combine playfully on the palate, framed by understated oak and crunchy acidity. Drinking Window 2025 – 2030. (TA)
92-95 points Allen Meadows – Burghound Here the expressive nose isn’t quite as toasty but it’s still far from subtle while managing not to unduly mask the more sauvage-inflected dark berry and forest floor scents. There good density and solid power to the muscular yet reasonably refined flavors that also evidence ample minerality on the beautifully long finale where the supporting tannins are slightly riper. This too should age effortlessly and I often prefer the Latricières but in 2017, the Mazis appears to have a slight edge in quality.
92-95 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate One of the high points of the range is the 2017 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru, a striking wine that wafts from the glass with aromas of dark berries, tar, spices, grilled game, licorice, violets and cherries. On the palate, it’s full-bodied, deep and lavish, with real concentration at the core, supple tannins, tangy acids and a long, mouthwatering finish. This was an impressive tasting with Eve and Erwan Faiveley and able winemaker Jérôme Flous. Likening the vintage to “a broader-shouldered 2007,” a judgment with which I wholeheartedly concur, Flous presented a selection of some of the 2017 portfolio’s high points. Supple, expressive and nicely integrated, the reds showed very well; and the two whites were simply superb. I also revisited a selection of 2016s at my office in the United States, wines that are more classically balanced and seemingly more consistent than Faiveley’s 2015s. I’ll be reporting more on the winemaking and vineyard changes that have ushered in a new era at this address—as well as publishing the results of a vertical of the emblematic Clos des Corton Faiveley—in the near future. In the meantime, all these offerings come warmly recommended. (WK)
Côte de Nuits, Grand Cru
100% Pinot Noir
Cork
Yes
No
