Visit to Domaine Nicolas Faure – tasting the 2020s from cask

When one writes about wine, the scribblings can easily become standard, run-of-the-mill gossip and notes. The re-use of content and text is systemized in this business as much as in others. But sometimes a little more reflection is needed.

Let’s take the essential question first: Why do I really like the wines from Nicolas Faure?”

The response it is a combination of things, but turns mainly on his unique talent to transform even unknown vineyards into enjoyable wines with a style and expression that is effortless and delicate, as well as a natural delivery of complexity. Faure’s wines flow in the glass with no apparent effort nor flashy show off of vinification. The tannins are fine and delicate and ad to the refinement of the wines, They are made by and with a natural, unmanipulated talent.

The wines do not pose as overly complex or extracted or impressively concentrated; they just are themselves. They give pure, almost unparalleled drinking pleasure, all without being picture perfect.

Faure’s production fairly exemplifies much of my concept of vin d’émotion. His wines have all that I need in a Burgundy – joy, emotion, drinkability – without the need to sacrifice the house, or the car I don’t have!

…. Epicureanism finds the greatest good or well-being by seeking modest pleasure in order to attain a state of tranquillity, freedom from fear (ataraxia), and absence from bodily pain (aponia). This combination of states is held to constitute happiness in its highest form. Epicureanism can be considered a form of hedonism, although it differs in its conception of happiness as the absence of pain, and in its advocacy of a simple life.”

The Winehog can do with tranquillity and a simple life – not pursuing points, excessive complexity, and great grand crus.

There is still Burgundian life below 200€!

Brompton life – contrasting

This year’s trip to the Faure tasting in Meuilley (6 km from Nuits-Saint-Georges) was something different, made on Mr. Brompton, my electric bicycle, in what I would call torrential rain (the Winehog likes to complain). Others would perhaps call it light, occasional showers, but the trip nevertheless gave a somewhat humid – but fresh – feeling to my arrival in the lovely village of Meuilley.

I have, as you know, covered the history of this estate and earlier vintages in previous articles (below if you need the background, and to spare ourselves a rewrite of the previous years’ yada yada yada).

• Visit at Domaine Nicolas Faure – mesmerizing wines
• Visit Domaine Nicolas Faure, tasting of the 2016s from cask
• Visit Domaine Nicolas Faure, tasting of the 2017s from cask
• Visit Domaine Nicolas Faure, tasting of the 2018s from cask
• Visit Domaine Nicolas Faure, tasting of the 2019s from cask

The COVID situation has deprived me of regularly tippling my favourites, as I usually enjoy wines from Nicolas Faure and others at local restaurants in Burgundy. These are just re-opening for terrace service as we speak. This gastronomic hole has been a serious business for the Winehog, as these experiences have unique qualities that both grace my palate and improve my overall well-being!

So with no further ado, the notes.

The Faure 2020s

The 2020s here are, like in other places, “cool” – meaning the wines have a somewhat cool stance despite the very hot summer in 2020.

Let’s face it: No vintages in Burgundy are cool these days. But it is a treat if the wines at least appear to be on the cooler side, and 2020 does just that.

To say that they’re better than the 2019s is perhaps to exaggerate at the moment. But they do have a concentrated structure of acidity and mineral components that give the wines both a substantial and a cool character.

Let’s taste!

First of the red 2020s was the Coteaux Bourguignons Mes Gamays; as labeled, a gamay-based wine.

Domaine Nicolas Faure Coteaux Bourguignons Mes Gamays 2020

The Coteaux Bourguignons Mes Gamays is different: 30% is vinified as rose and 70% as traditional gamay. This aim was to get a lighter, more “vin de soif” feeling from the low-yield, concentrated 2020. This works in my view, as the rose part infuses vivid freshness to the wine, which is perfect for the terrasse and friends (a few bottles, as they empty quickly). I know that some vignerons are reluctant to use methods like this, but as far as I know it’s not against any rules. It produces an energetic, vivid wine in a year that otherwise would have given much more density from grapes harvested on August 25.

(Drink from 2029) – Good – (87p) – Tasted 28/04/2021 from cask –

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Tasting Notes for this producer

• Nicolas Faure Bourgogne Aligoté La Corvee de Bully 2014 March 11, 2022
• Domaine de Cassiopée Aligoté En Gerlieus 2020 March 10, 2022
• Nicolas Faure Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Herbues 2017 February 21, 2022
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Bourgogne Aligote La Corvees de Bully 2017 February 19, 2019
• Domaine Nicolas Faure, Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Herbues 2016 November 23, 2018
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Bourgogne Aligote La Corvees de Bully 2014 June 21, 2017
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Herbues 2015 June 21, 2017
• Domaine Nicolas Faure, Bourgogne Aux Argillieres 2014 October 11, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Herbues 2014 October 11, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Aloxe-Corton 2015 July 31, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Bourgogne Aux Argillieres 2015 July 31, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Coteaux Bourguignons Mes Gamay 2015 July 31, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Herbues 2015 July 31, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Herbues 2014 July 31, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Herbues 2012 July 31, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Bourgogne Aligote La Corvees de Bully 2014 July 31, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure Bourgogne Aligote La Corvees de Bully 2015 July 30, 2016
• Domaine Nicolas Faure, Bourgogne Aux Argillieres 2014 June 23, 2016

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