Domaine Faiveley

Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825. Seven generations later, it is run by Erwan Faiveley and his sister, Eve. Based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, the business started as a negociant but over the decades has purchased key parcels of land in the Cote d’Or and further south in Cote Chalonnaise. With 127 hectares over 60 climat and appellations, Faiveley’s holdings include Grand Cru, Premier Cru and Village level wines as well as negociant wines from around the region.

On arrival at the domaine, the welcome is dominated by a copy of the famous Rodin sculpture, The Kiss (1882)which, through family connections, the Faiveley family acquired. Through the courtyard, you look up the slope toward premier cru climats of Nuits-Saint-George.  Visit their website.

The Faiveley family was also instrumental in the establishment of the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin which was founded by Georges Faiveley and Camille Rodier in 1934. Georges is quoted as saying: 'As our wines are no longer selling, let's invite our friends to come and drink them with us!'. The revival of this medieval brotherhood during the Depression years played an important role in reviving interest in wines from Burgundy.

L-R Matthieu Luneau, Andrea Martinisi, Erwan Faiveley, chief winemaker Jérôme Flous.

At the domaine, we were hosted by Matthieu Luneau, the Export Manager and Jérôme Flous who has been chief winemaker since 2007. Owner, Erwan Faiveley also made time to meet us during the tasting in the cellar.

We tasted a flight of 5 red wines and 3 whites from the very warm vintage of 2020. Jerome then treated us to a selection barrel samples from 2022.

Highlights

From this impressive line-up we were able to taste and sense the diversity of styles produced from the different climats and compare the vintages from the ripe, fragrant, high-alcohol 2020s contrasted with the more restrained 2022s, evolving in barrel.  

Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2020

Faiveley hold 3 parcels of around 1.4 hectares of the 50 hectare walled vineyard along with 82 owners. Some years these are vinified separately. The finished wine can continue to develop from 10 to 25 years. The wine was full of red cherries and violets, earth, deep in colour, with firm acidity and tannins.

Corton Clos de Corton Faiveley Grand Cru monopole 2020

From the Faiveley family’s own named climat, that was purchased in 1874, we tasted a wine of ripe plums with layers of earth and cinnamon, good structure with balanced acidity and firm tannins,14% alcohol. This is young wine and will only continue to develop as it ages.

Joseph Faiveley Meursault ‘Blagny’ Premier Cru 2020

From Faiveley’s signature range, this Meursault is a chardonnay lover’s wine with ripe tree fruits from the warm 2020 vintage, toasted almonds and balanced acidity

From the barrels

The highlight were Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru ‘La Combe d'Orveau’ which is located adjacent to Musigny Grand Cru.

Nuit- Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Damodes’ 2022 with spicy plums and smoky, coffee character. The Grand Cru Chambertin Clos de Beze 2020 offers more complexity and moderate acidity, firm tannins and will continue to age in new barrel for 16-18 months. 

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru AOC
Faiveley have a triangle of 3 parcels of chardonnay vines that are blended to make Corton-Charlemagne. We tasted three barrels that go into the blend. The first showed high acidity and youthful, green fruit. The barrel of Charlemagne Clos de Corton parcel was softer with a lees, yoghurt texture. The barrel Sous de Bois showed more oak influence of vanilla and spice. Jerome advised that the result is always better, once the barrels are blended. It was fascinating to taste such contrasting styles, knowing that the three wines will ultimately be blended. Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru can age up to 15 years.

Andrea and I were very honoured to have such an impressive tasting with the winemaker and be able to have such detailed discussion.

Here is a list of all the wines tasted

Pinot Noir

Mercurey La Framboisiere 2020
Nuits-Saint-Georges ‘Les Montroziers’ 2020
Gevrey-Chambertin ‘Les Cazetiers’ 1er Cru 2020
Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2020
Corton Clos de Corton Faiveley monopole

Chardonnay

Mercurey Clos Rochette monopole 2020
Ladoix ‘les Marnes Blanches’ 2020
Joseph Faiveley Meursault ‘Blagny’ premier cru 2020

In Barrel

Domaine Faiveley Volnay 1er Cru ‘Fremiets’ 2022

Nuit- Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Damodes’ 2022

Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru ‘La Combe d'Orveau’ 2022

Chambertin Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2022

Meursault Blagny 2022 

Batard-Montrachet 2022

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022

Celia Hay 1/2/2023