(Originally published 3 March 2017.)
As I reported in the previous post, Faiveley’s harvest on the Côte d’Or took place between 2 and 11 September. For the reds, production is about 15% below a normal harvest. The grand cru reds were made with about 25% whole clusters. In the recent past, new oak has been about 2/3 for the grands crus but in 2015, that figure is 50-65%.
As I reported in the previous post, Faiveley’s harvest on the Côte d’Or took place between 2 and 11 September. For the reds, production is about 15% below a normal harvest. The grand cru reds were made with about 25% whole clusters. In the recent past, new oak has been about 2/3 for the grands crus but in 2015, that figure is 50-65%.
Comparing these wines to the premiers crus, one sees that there generally were upper limits to quality for grands crus, so that many of the premiers crus showed equally well — until one gets to the two great Chambertin-Clos de Bèzes and the Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley, all three of which are in the very select group of top wines of the vintage.
2015 Clos de Vougeot
This wine is not the final Clos de Vougeot blend. It features dark fruit that is intense but it is light on the palate. Not bad, but we need to see it after the blend. (91-94)
2015 Charmes-Chambertin
The wine is light on the palate with purity and good drive and energy, as well as length and the finesse of the vintage. This is another wine from vines that Faiveley acquired from Dupont-Tisserandot. (92-95)
2015 Latricières-Chambertin
Faiveley’s Latricières-Chambertin has intense dark fruits and lots of energy, but is not as concentrated as some of the foregoing wines (including some of the premiers crus previously reviewed). This is a lighter-style wine that is elegant and also has the nervosity of Latricières. (92-96)
2015 Mazis-Chambertin
The Mazis-Chambertin is concentrated but light on the palate with finesse and intensity to its blue fruits. Some fruit from the Dupont-Tisserandot holding is included in this wine. (93-96)
2015 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze
Faiveley regularly has made one of the best wines from Chambertin-Clos de Bèze, and now it is making two of them. This, the “regular" one, is dense, concentrated, and powerful but with the finesse of the vintage. It is the proverbial iron fist in a velvet glove. The fruit is long, pure, and penetrating. (94-98)
2015 Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Les Ouvrées Rodin
For some years now, Faiveley has separated out a second Clos de Bèze cuvée, designated as Les Ouvrées Rodin after a former owner of the parcel. The vines here are slightly older than those of the other cuvée, and the exposition here is southeast-facing, as opposed to south-facing for the “regular” wine. Tasting them side-by-side the last couple of years, I see some difference in the wines’ respective styles, but not in their overall quality. This wine is not as concentrated or powerful as the “regular,” but it does show great finesse, and indeed almost laciness, to go with its smooth body and long fruit. (94-98)
2015 Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley
This is undoubtedly the greatest young Corton I’ve tasted from Faiveley, and probably from anyone. The nose is intense with spicy dark fruits. The mouth is pure, precise, dense, and long with amazing energy and elegance, power, and length. Perhaps I just caught this wine on a very good day, but if it is anywhere close to what I tasted, it will be sensational. (96-99)