Visit to Domaine Faiveley – tasting the red 2018s

On my November 2019 trip, I had the opportunity to visit Domaine Faiveley to taste the celebrated, but also difficult, 2018 vintage.

The tasting was held with directeur technique (chief winemaker) Jérôme Flous, who gave us his selection from the Faiveley wines.

Photo of Jérôme Flous – November 2019

But let’s get down to business, enter the Faiveley cathedral and taste some reds – the tasting of the white Faiveley 2018s can be found here.

Tasting notes from November 14 2019

All the wines were tasted from cask at the Faiveley winery in Nuits-Saint-Georges, where the 2018 vintage is in elevage.

Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges 2018

Domaine Faiveley is based in Nuits, and therefore this is an important part of its collection of wines. In 2018 Nuits-Saint-Georges is a mixed bunch, as the southern part was hit rather badly by hail whereas the middle part was perhaps on the warm side. This village wine comes from Les Argillats on the northern side of the village at the cooler entrance to the valley beside Aux Thorey. This is quite a forward wine with a fine, perfumed nose. Its 14.1% alcohol is well hidden currently, but will not be a benefit in the long run.  Nevertheless, a charming wine for the vintage with a lovely perfumed, mineral note.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good – (88 – 89p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes 2018

Les Damodes is one of the – perhaps – unexpected highlights of the 2018 lineup. It has surprising energy and a vivid expression of perfumed fruit. Yes, it is rich – but it’s both delicate and fresh. Classic influences of southern Vosne minerality are thrilling my palate. This is not half bad!

(Drink from 2028) – Fine – (91 – 93p) – From cask 14/11/2019 – .

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Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Chaignots 2018

The Les Chaignots is in the warm core of the northern part of NSG. This is showing well, but is lacking a bit of the energy found in the Damodes. It is offering a nice display of mineral notes with rich, generous fruit.

(Drink from 2030) – Very Good – (90 – 91p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Saint Georges 2018

The southern end of Nuits is lacking a bit of the mid-palate intensity found in other parts of NSG. The Les Saint Georges is, however, doing well, showing elegant and supple fruit that is quite approachable. Given the weather conditions, very fine; yet not a monumental Les Saint G. Still, quite a delightful glass…

(Drink from 2028) – Fine – (90 – 92p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Clos des Issard 2018

Clos des Issard is a Faiveley monopole located just north of Clos de Ruchottes – the upper part of Ruchottes-Chambertin owned by Domaine Armand Rousseau. It’s a 0.6095-ha 1er cru that Faiveley acquired in 2002 after renting the vineyard for around 50 years. The soil is limestone, and the terroir is similar to Ruchottes-Chambertin. The 2018 Clos des Issard is a refined Gevrey with lovely generous fruit and filigreed minerality. On the palate, quite rich yet cool, with more mineral focus than the Lavaux. The fruit is lovely, but not as energetic as the exuberant Lavaux.

(Drink from 2032) – Very Fine – (92 – 93p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Les Cazetieres 2018

Gevrey-Chambertin did well in 2018 … and the Les Cazetieres from Faiveley is no exception, although its slight reduction currently brings the oak out somewhat. It’s mineral and rather masculine, and perhaps does not quite have the sensuality of the Lavaux. Needs time…

(Drink from 2032) – Fine+ – (92 – 93p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux Saint-Jacques 2018

The Lavaux Saint-Jacques is a step up in energy and sensuality from the Cazetieres – and is showing the 2018 magic as the cooler red notes take over. Yes, a hot year – but the fruit is delicate with gorgeous energy. This is sexy, and one can almost feel the cool breeze from the Combe Lavaux.

(Drink from 2030) – Very Fine – (93 – 94p) – From cask 14/11/2019 –

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Domaine Faiveley Echezeaux 2018

The Faiveley Echezeaux comes from the climat La Combe d’Orveaux at the northern end of the appellation. The bouquet is offering generous red and dark fruits – slightly reduced currently – yet invitingly spicy and quite refined.

(Drink from 2032) – Very Fine – (93p) – From cask 14/11/2019.
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Domaine Faiveley Clos Vougeot 2018

The Faiveley Clos Vougeot contains quite a bit of fruit from the lower parts of the Vougeot vineyard. The bouquet is offering fine red and dark fruits, and is quite floral. On the palate, lovely, generous fruit – a bit on the dense side  – but perhaps not the most energetic of wines. Still, well structured, with the Francois barrels doing a good job.

(Drink from 2034) – Very Fine – (93p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Charmes-Chambertin 2018

The Charmes-Chambertin is one of the – if not THE – wine of the vintage here. The nose is a symphony of delicious red fruit – rich and juicy with lively energy. On the palate it is the same delicate story: layers of vivid fruit, generous and slightly opulent, but still cool and focused. This has tremendous energy – a delightfully juicy wine.

(Drink from 2035) – Very Fine+ – (94 – 95p) – From cask 14/11/2019 – .

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Domaine Faiveley Latricieres-Chambertin 2018

The Latricieres-Chambertin is normally one of my favorites at Faiveley, but the 2018 is currently not equaling the Charmes. The nose is brimming with raspberries and redcurrant, yet is somewhat backward. On the palate, cool, a bit reserved, and lacking some mid-palate charm or energy.  As always, a very refined wine. And Latricieres does perform well in hotter years, so we will give it the benefit of the doubt for the moment.

(Drink from 2035) – Very Fine – (93 – 94p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Mazis-Chambertin 2018

Here we go again. The Mazis-Chambertin is sort of in between the refined Latricieres-Chambertin and the generous and lush Charmes-Chambertin. The nose offers rich, layered red fruit underscored by deep, earthy minerality. The Mazis is surprisingly intense in 2018 – quite monumental – with a fine yet robust structure. This is the best Mazis I have had from Faiveley so far (I think), yet it does not quite matching the energy afterburner of the Charmes.

(Drink from 2034) – Very Good+ – (93 – 95p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Domaine Faiveley Chambertin Clos de Beze 2018

The Chambertin Clos de Beze is quite a step up in both refinement and control – and this is not even the top cuvée (which we did not taste on this occasion). That being said, this is a truly magnificent wine. The nose is brimming with layers of exuberant red fruit, very focused and driven by its deep, intense minerality. On the palate, very refined tannins: ripe and intense, with a tremendous expression of the Chambertin/Beze terroir.

(Drink from 2036) – Outstanding – (95 – 96p) – From cask 14/11/2019 – .

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Domaine Faiveley Corton des Cortons 2018

The Corton des Cortons is made from a large plot at the top of the Corton hill. This is like many other Cortons in 2018, showing a refined side. It is not monumental like the 2015, or as complex as the 2016, but it’s nevertheless showing fine energy and vivid fruit. It is quite openly knit currently with sweet, ripe fruit. But as in other vintages, it will need time.

(Drink from 2036) – Very Fine+ – (94 – 95p) – From cask 14/11/2019.

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Recommendations for the hedonists

I find the most hedonistic enjoyment – or if you prefer, emotional excitement – in the Nuits-Saint-Georges Les Damodes, the Charmes Chambertin and the migthy Chambertin Clos de Bèze.

And last but not least, the Lavaux Saint-Jacques gave me quite a delightful hedonistic thrill!

Tasting Notes for this producer

• Faiveley summer wines: a Chambolle surprise June 25, 2020
• Faiveley summer wines: a delightful La Framboisière June 19, 2020
• Faiveley summer wines: the fresh Montagny June 13, 2020
• Faiveley summer wines: the generous white Mercurey June 10, 2020
• Faiveley summer wines: the vivid Ladoix June 8, 2020
• Domaine Faiveley, Chambertin Clos de Bèze Les Ouvrées Rodin 2013 December 7, 2017
• Domaine Faiveley, Latricieres-Chambertin 2014 February 11, 2017

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