2021 Domaine Faiveley Offer
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Invoicing will be upon confirmation.
Delivery when 2nd half November 2023 or when the weather is wine kind.
Based in Nuits-St-Georges, the famous Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825 and in more recent times, the domaine has greatly expanded its vineyards across the entire Côte d’Or. The grapes are entirely destemmed and fermented in a mix of new wooden vats for the top end wines and stainless steel for the lesser cuvées. Once notorious for being fairly austere, there has been less emphasis on extraction over the last ten years and the wines show increased freshness, purity of fruit and more judicious use of oak.
A contender for one of the most improved domaines in Burgundy over the last decade.
The Evolution of Faiveley
Erwan Faiveley made two important announcements a few years ago.
The first was that a new state-of-the-art cuverie was operational. It is elegant, spacious and efficient and will offer the inestimable advantages of room to work, which is rarely the case in Burgundy’s often cramped wineries.
The second was arguably more important in that it heralds a change in style. Long-time readers may remember that in 2007 the Domaine made the dramatic decision to change the style of its reds, which up to that point could be fairly described as unapologetically old school. In other words, reds that were firmly structured, sturdy and built-to-age for the long-term. In 2007 this at times rustic style was discarded in favour of wines that possessed more elegance and finesse in the hopes of creating more supple burgundies that required less long-term cellaring.
“While we like the current style and what it offers, for several years we were feeling that perhaps we had strayed too far from our roots. To this end, we finally asked if there might not be a way to combine the two in a way that remained true to our history but didn’t require 20 years before the wines were completely ready to drink. So now we’re looking for more density and riper tannins while doing our best to retain a more refined mouthfeel. To achieve this we’re harvesting a few days later in the search for a higher level of phenolic maturity and then vinifying the fruit in a fashion that reduces forced extraction and emphasizes natural extraction. In other words, we will take what the fruit has to give in any given vintage without forcing more out of it that often results in overtly extracted wines.” Faiveley
Erwan Faiveley, the seventh generation owner of one of Burgundy’s largest grand cru site holders, Domaine Faiveley, is making a sharp turn away from his father’s big and tannic winemaking style. After 13 years at the helm of the family estate, the dynamic Burgundy scion confessed that it was only in 2012 that he began to achieve exactly what he wanted in terms of style and concentration.
The video bellow is matched by three others (at the end of the offer) exploring each of the seasons following the full cycle of the vine and wine at Domaine Faiveley.
The 2021 Vintage by Faiveley
I met with both co-president Erwan Faiveley and technical director Jérôme Flous, who commented that “while the 2021 growing season will always be remembered as one hit hard by the April frosts, especially for the whites, it doesn’t mean that some really good wines weren’t made. Nonetheless, the frost was in fact exceptionally damaging in certain sectors, and in particular Puligny La Garenne, Corton-Charlemagne and Gevrey Les Cazetiers while damage elsewhere was variable. We protected some of the grand crus with warming candles and while they certainly helped, we still noticed that even those parcels were less resistant to stress.
The growing season had frequent rain but usually with enough time in between for the vineyards to dry out enough where we could get equipment into them. Disease pressure was also variable with mildew being a problem at several points, and oidium was a major problem for the chardonnay. There was a rainstorm on the 20th of September that dropped about 30 mm, and it was evident that it diluted the berries. Moreover, it also meant that we were seriously worried about an attack of botrytis but thankfully in the end it never really materialized. Even so, it put us in the position of worrying about purity versus maturity in terms of harvest dates.
In the end, we chose to begin picking our ripest parcels on the 21st of September and there was actually less sorting than we expected though this is not to say none. Harvest conditions weren’t great in the beginning, but we finished under bright sunshine. Yields were largely very low with only 17 to 18 hl/ha in white and scarcely better in red at 22 to 23 hl/ha. Potential alcohols were actually quite good at between 12 and 13% so there was very little chaptalization for most wines. With the exception of the Musigny, we used no whole clusters for the vinifications though interestingly, the wines taste like they were in fact made with them. We also chose to use more new wood than usual to help give the wines body. As to the wines, the reds are much more interesting than the whites and the Côte de Nuits fared better than the Côte de Beaune. We believe that among recent vintages, the 2021s are better than 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 vintages. Stylistically, the reds remind us of our 2007s.”
Though it wasn’t presented as it hadn’t yet been assembled, there will be a Clos de Bèze Cuvée Les Ouvrées Rodin. Specifically, with respect to the whites, Jérôme Flous noted that “the frost really killed us, both in terms of reducing yields but also in rendering the vines more susceptible to the ravages of cryptogamic diseases and in particular, oidium. We protected our parcels of Bâtard and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet and while that helped save some yield, they were also traumatized and were seemingly just as sensitive to attack as the other vines. Worse, there was a heavy storm on the 20th of September that engendered an attack of botrytis and thus we were left with a very difficult choice of favoring maturities or aromatic purity. In the end, it turned out to be some of each. During the élevage, we did some lees stirring to add a bit of flesh even though the yields were incredibly low. Stylistically, I would compare our 2021s to a denser 2014.”
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
For Thierry Pillot in Chassagne-Montrachet, 2021 brings to mind the Burgundies of yesteryear, saying they are “the wines I’ve always dreamed of making.” For Bertrand Dugat, the vintage “was like a breath of fresh air; it woke me up and gave me renewed energy.” For Cécile Tremblay, 2021 is “a return, at last, to Pinot Noir.” As ever, Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier summed it up succinctly when he said, “These are the wines I want to drink.”But what, exactly, are these wines like? If your ideal for Burgundy is rich, sun-kissed and muscular, along the lines of what nature delivered in 2018, stop reading now; 2021 simply isn’t the vintage for you. But if you share the tastes of the producers quoted above—and a host of others—you may find much of interest in this vintage if you buy wisely.The 2021 reds are supple, fleshy and perfumed, at their best uniting the concentration of low yields and surprisingly good phenolic maturity with the vibrant, perfumed profiles of a cooler vintage. Their pHs are relatively high, so the wines are broad, open and charming. They’re unlikely to shut down. Among recent years, the outgoing, fragrant 2017s are the closest point of comparison; but a better analogy is with a cleaner, more concentrated version of the 2000 vintage. They may not last for a century, but if the best 2000s have aged gracefully for two decades, the 2021s, produced from lower yields of more carefully sorted fruit, should be able to develop in the cellar for at least as long.The 2021 whites are much more successful than those produced in Burgundy’s last vintage defined by frost, 2016. In 2016, first-generation grapes spared by the frost were often picked overripe, along with underripe second- and third-generation fruit; lending the wines exotic aromatics and a telltale sweet-and-sour quality on the palate. By contrast, the 2021s are classically proportioned, pure and fine-boned, albeit sometimes a little lean out of the gates. The best analogy is with a cleaner, purer version of the 2013 vintage, (a year sometimes marked by late-season thunderstorms that lent the wines exotic aromatics, something 2021 was spared). Like their red counterparts, the 2021 white wines are picking up texture and flesh with maturation on the lees, and they seem likely to show better from bottle than they did from barrel.William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
The Wines
Faively’s vast holdings stretch from the very top of the Côte d’Or through the Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and into the top of the Côte Chalonaise with Pinot holdings in Mercurey. Below are maps of their terroirs. You can enlarge them and explore the regions and vineyards. We’re writing a series of primers on each of the main villages in Burgundy and on Burgundy in general you can check out where we’re up to in the Wine Bites Mag.
Check out all the Article on Burgundy!
Faiveley Grand & 1er Crus de la Côte de Beaune
Detailed Map of Faiveley’s Côte de Beaune Holdings
Faiveley Grand & 1er Crus de la Côte de Nuits
Detailed Map of Faiveley’s Côte de Nuits Holdings
About the Wines
Faiveley Grand & 1er Crus de la Côte de Beaune
Detailed Map of Faiveley’s Côte de Beaune Holdings
2021 Faiveley Meursault 1er Cru Charmes
2021 Faiveley Meursault 1er Cru Blagny
Pungent aromas of moderate wood and reduction mask the underlying fruit. More interesting are the delicious, concentrated and vibrant medium weight flavors that possess a touch of orange peel character while delivering solid length on the powerful, clean, dry and balanced finale. This could use better depth but a few years of keeping should be helpful. Drink 2026+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 89-92 Points
Purchased grapes. There is a touch of reduction, with citrus and fresh plum notes, quite tannic for a white wine, certainly a dry finish at the moment, but there is enough length to suggest a good outcome. Drink 2025-2029
Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 90-92 Points
The 2021 Meursault 1er Cru Blagny (Maison) is chiseled and electric, offering up aromas of green apple, lime zest, white flowers and struck match, followed by a medium-bodied, taut and tangy palate that will delight acid lovers.
William Kelley – The Wine Advocate 90-92 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain
A domaine holding, but hugely damaged by the frost. To the eye, this was still troubled after a lees stirring. Pear, apple, fresh citrus, a certain volume of white fruit. Again the slight austerity with a fine purity of fruit too. A cautious evaluation of a wine which may deliver further than this rating. Drink 2026-2031
Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 90-93 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru Les Referts
Puligny de Tonnerre or Puligny Vaillons’, joked Faiveley’s winemaker Jérôme Flous, referring to the lemony intensity of this wine. The fruit aromas were supplemented with notes of hazelnut, gunflint, and smoke. The texture was lively and bright, with crisp acidity, medium body, and good length. The grapes come from a plot of 0.37 hectares and are given the full treatment: firmly pressed as whole clusters, fermented in cask (half new), and stirred frequently. There is enough substance here, however, to absorb these elements, and the overall impression is one of freshness and balance. Drink 2025-203
Charles Curtis MW – Decanter.com 93 Points
Faiveley Grand & 1er Crus de la Côte de Nuits
Detailed Map of Faiveley’s Côte de Nuits Holdings
2021 Domaine Faiveley Chambertin “Clos De Bèze” Grand Cru
Note: from a 1.29 ha parcel A background dollop of wood is present on the overtly spicy nose of red and blue pinot fruit along this hints of herbal tea and crushed fennel. The mouthfeel of the slightly bigger flavors is much like that of the Mazis, which his to say suave and caressing while delivering better length if slightly less complexity. This balanced effort should be approachable after only 6 to 7 years but amply reward 12 to 15. Drink 2033+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 91-94 Points
The grand terroirs can shrug off the difficult vintages, says Jérôme. For him Clos de Bèze is the same wine every year. Fine crimson purple, with more depth than the other Grands Crus. Plenty of red fruit but in a slightly stricter format here. The fruit on the palate is very high class, all red not black, with white pepper as if some whole bunch (but not) and the return of sweet floral red fruit notes. Perfectly together at the back, taming the tannins, and with just enough acidity. Drink 2030-2040
Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 94-96 PointsÂ
The 2021 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru is beautiful, wafting from the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, orange zest, Asian spices, rose petals and sweet forest floor. Full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it’s layered, concentrated and complete, uniting the sensual aromatics and textures of Faiveley’s Latricières with all the musculature and more of their Mazis to compelling effect.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 93-95 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Corton “Clos Des Cortons” Grand Cru (Monopole)
A perfumed, cool and restrained nose grudgingly offers up its combination of red cherry, raspberry, soft earth and a background touch of oak. There is excellent energy if only average density to the beautifully textured, precise and lightly stony flavors that flash a hint of youthful austerity on the sneaky long and moderately firm finale. This should repay a decade or so of keeping. Drink 2031+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 90-93 Points
A pretty fresh ruby crimson. The nose is elegant for Corton, fruit enhanced by a floral top note. Very good. Crisp, mineral, vertical, somewhat raw but with a fine quality of fruit, reasonable persistence. The new wood is not marking in flavour but does help to make the structure. Drink 2028-2036
 Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 92-95 Points
Unwinding in the glass with aromas of sweet red berries, rose petals, orange zest and forest floor, the 2021 Corton Grand Cru Clos des Cortons Faiveley is medium to full-bodied, ample and layered, with a rich core of fruit framed by powdery tannins and a taut, incisive profile.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 92-94 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Latricières Chambertin Grand Cru
Note: from a large 1.21 ha parcel A more elegant, and strikingly pure, if less spice-suffused nose speaks of essence of red cherry, discreet earth and a hint of forest floor trimmed in a whiff of wood. The delicious and vibrant middleweight flavors possess even better delineation and more obvious minerality on the youthfully austere finish that also reflects a hint of bitter pit fruit character. Lovely and understated in style. Drink 2031+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 90-93 Points
Fairly dense crimson in colour. There is a solid weight of fruit on the nose, dark raspberry with some strawberry too. Some depth to this. A mix of mineral and floral for Jérôme while I find something earthier. Firm tannins at the finish but plenty of fruit to surround them. Drink 2028-2036
Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 92-94 Points
Wafting from the glass with aromas of red berries and plums mingled with vine smoke, spices and rose petals, the 2021 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru is medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with melting tannins, vibrant acids and a giving, perfumed profile that privileges sensuality over power.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 93-94 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Échézeaux ‘En Orveaux’ Grand Cru
Wafting from the glass with aromas of red berries, plums, sweet spices and orange rind, the 2021 Echézeaux En Orveaux Grand Cru is medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with a broad attack and a supple, enveloping mid-palate. Faiveley pruned late here and was rewarded by a creditable yield of 35 hectoliters per hectare.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91-93 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Mazis Chambertin Grand Cru
A touch of green tea character sits atop the aromas of plum, cherry and more prominent sauvage nuances. There is a really lovely mouthfeel to the suave, round and powerful mediumbodied flavors that also display evident minerality on the slightly more complex but noticeably more persistent finale. At least some patience will be necessary as this is quite tightly wound. Drink 2033+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 91-94 Points
A palish mid crimson. The nose was slow to come out but soon a fair volume of strawberry fruit begins to emerge, suggesting a depth of fruit behind. More alpine strawberry and pinpoint raspberry, then more tannins and a very peppery finish with good persistence of the little red fruits. This could be in brooding mode, and deserve more in due course. Drink 2028-2036
Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 92-95 Points
Deeper and more structured than the ethereal Latricières, the 2021 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru reveals aromas of red berries, orange zest, forest floor and a discreet touch of toasty new oak, followed by a full-bodied, layered and impressively concentrated palate.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 92-94 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Clos De Vougeot Grand Cru
Note: blended from 3 separate lieux-dits, two near the bottom and one near the top AAn unusually perfumed nose in the context of what is typical for young Clos Vougeot is comprised by airy red fruit and possesses less earth character than usual. The delicious middleweight flavors are not especially dense but they are both attractively textured and vibrant, all wrapped in a clean, sneaky long and youthfully austere finale. This too will need to develop more depth to merit the upper end of my projected range. Drink 2033+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 91-94 Points
Pale but pretty colour. Light fruit on the nose. Spared from the frost, and as is typical of such cuvees in 2021, the wine feels more complete – in fact, displaying a particularly long finish. This avoids also the blocky side of Clos Vougeot, showing instead a rather fine fresh but light strawberry fruit. One could almost suggest that it is ethereal for this appellation! Drink 2030-203
Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 93-96 Points
Unusually supple and giving for this site, the 2021 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru delivers aromas of plums, sweet berries, vine smoke and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and perfumed palate framed by succulent acids and melting tannins.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91-93 Points
2021 Faiveley Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru
2021 Domaine Faiveley Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru ‘Les Fuées’
2021 Domaine Faiveley Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru ‘Les Charmes’
Mid crimson purple, a really pretty bouquet, tastes as thought his might not be quite clean at the finish, where an earthy vegetal note appears, followed by a sweet perfumed red fruit. Not given the benefit of the doubt at this stage but if the vegetal aspect disappears, this could become a much better wine.
 Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 88-90 Points
The 2021 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Charmes wafts from the glass with aromas of cherries, plums, vine smoke, spices and petals. Medium to full-bodied, supple and seamless, with melting tannins and a pretty, giving profile, it will show well on release.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90-92 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru ‘Aux Beaux Bruns’
2021 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Les Cazetiers’
Note: from a huge 3.96 ha parcel. There is better layering and much more sauvage character present on the smoky nose of wild dark currant, game and a whiff of herbal tea. The medium weight plus flavors possess a beguiling texture along with a pronounced minerality that adds a sense of lift to the moderately austere finale that displays notably better depth and persistence. Very good quality here. Drink 2031+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com Outstanding 90-92 Points
A slightly deeper crimson colour. The bouquet is quite backward but with some peppery notes and fresh red fruit. More power on the palate, again with its usual mineral thread, in this case a salty touch. Really quite persistent, and still very backward. Drink 2027-2033
Jasper Morris – Inside Burgundy 92-95 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Lavaux St Jacques’
A brooding nose of dark berry, sauvage and earth nuances is trimmed in moderate wood. The lilting but punchy middleweight flavors possess lovely detail and an underlying tension while offering good length on the youthfully austere and ever-so-mildly lean finish. I suspect that this will better flesh out if given a few years of cellaring. Drink 2031+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 90-92 Points
The 2021 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques reveals aromas of cherries, sweet berries, loamy soil and spices. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, supple and lively, with melting tannins and a penetrating finish, it’s a success.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91-93 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Clos des Issarts’ (Monopole)
This 0.60-hectare monopole has a superb location at the top of the slope just north of Ruchottes-Chambertin grand cru. The wine features bright, clean, ripe black cherry fruit, with notes of rose petals and earth, with a lively and vibrant texture, plenty of freshness, and a tannic grip leading to a lingering finish. Although it has plenty of structure, it is not lacking fruit, which has a pleasantly sweet character through the end. Harvest for this parcel began on 24 September. Drink 2025-2040
Charles Curtis MW – Decanter.com 93 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru ‘Les Combe Aux Moines’
2021 Domaine Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Porets St Georges’
2021 Domaine Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru ‘Les Damodes’
There is enough wood framing the spicy and mildly exotic aromas of tea, orange peel and both red and dark pinot fruit. I very much like the texture and energy of the medium weight flavors that offer good length if only average depth at present though more should develop with a few years of keeping. Drink 2029+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 89-92 Points
The 2021 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes has turned out beautifully, bursting with aromas of plums, cherries, orange zest and spices. Medium to full-bodied, satiny and vibrant, it’s pure and precise, with melting tannins and an enveloping core of perfumed fruit.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91-93 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru ‘Les St. Georges’
Here too moderate wood sets off the more deeply pitched and more sauvage-inflected aromas of dark currant, violet and forest floor. The delicious and markedly intense medium-bodied flavors flash evident minerality on the moderately austere and lingering finale. Like the Damodes, this could use better depth, but more should reasonably develop with time in bottle. Drink 2029+
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 89-92 Points
The 2021 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint-Georges reveals aromas of smoky berries, cherries and rich soil tones, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy palate that’s seamless and suave, framed by melting tannins. It’s part domaine, part négoce.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 91-93 Points
2021 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin Vielles Vignes
2021 Domaine Faiveley Chambolle-Musigny
2021 Domaine Faiveley Vosne-Romanée
2021 Domaine Faiveley Pommard 1er Cru ‘Les Rugiens’
2021 Domaine Faiveley Beaune 1er Cru ‘Clos de l’Ecu’
A bright and airy nose reveals its aromas of various red berries, herbal tea and subtle oak influence. The sleek, intense and juicy lighter weight flavors possess fine precision if only limited complexity on the youthfully austere finale. This is attractive effort could be enjoyed young for its crunchy fruit.
Allen Meadows – Burghound.com 88-90 Points
Exhibiting aromas of sweet berries, vine smoke and spices, the 2021 Beaune 1er Cru Clos de l’Écu Monopole is medium-bodied, fleshy and layered, with a cool core of fruit and melting tannins. It will offer a broad drinking window in its supple, delicate style.
William Kelley – Wine Advocate 90-91 Points
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