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 vineyard neighbours that of La Framboisière which produces powerful red wines. In the Clos Rochette, the soil is particularly compact and hard to work, being strewn with little rocks, hence the name. Rich and complex white wines are produced here. This parcel has been one of the Domaine’s Monopoles since 1933.
Soil: Compact clay-limestone soils
Domaine Faiveley surface area: 5 ha 45 a 25 ca – (13,47 Acres)
Years the vines were planted: 1960, 1987, 1999, 2009, 2017
The grapes are harvested and sorted by hand. The musts are extracted using a pneumatic press before being settled. The alcoholic fermentation lasts 4 weeks and takes place for a proportion of the musts (55%) in French oak barrels, 25% of which are new oak. The ageing period lasts 16 months with regular stirring whilst the rest of the blend is aged in vats. This allows the wine to develop delicate woody notes whilst conserving its freshness and distinctive character.
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 reveals exceptionally complex aromas and a fresh nose offering white flowers, lemon sherbet and spices. The lovely tension and precision gives way to a smooth weighted palate thanks to its oak ageing, with riper yellow fruits and a touch of fresh apricot on the finish.
Vol au vents, fish dishes, shellfish, oysters, mussels
Serve at 10°C. Cellaring Potential: 5 to 7 years
Côte Chalonnaise
100% Chardonnay
Cork
Yes
No
