Erwan Faiveley said that harvesting began in late September, sometime around the 22nd. There is a little bit of whole cluster in the Chaignots, more in all the Chambolles, and none in the Gevreys. Alcohols are all 13.5º or below, and except for two cuvées, there was no chaptalization at the estate.
Malolactic fermentations were considerably later than usual because of the cold cellars, and so bottling will accordingly be retarded. Prices should remain the same as for the 2015s (presumably this is in euros, so they may change as local currencies fluctuate).
All wines below except for the Amoureuses are Domaine Faiveley.
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Aux Chaignots
The Chaignots has mineral dark fruit, quality tannins, medium-weight, and good length. (91-95)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes
Faiveley continues its recent string of excellent wines from this vineyard above Les Boudots and on the border with Vosne-Romanée. The dark fruit is crystalline, precise, and fresh — an outstanding wine. (92-95)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Porêts-Saint-Georges
Switching to the portion of Nuits south of the town, the vines planted in 2005 were hit by the frost, so this wine is made only from old vine gapes. There’s very good finesse for Porêts-Saint-Georges in this wine and the dark plum and cherry fruit is supported by quality tannins. Medium-weight body. (91-95)
2016 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint-Georges
Faiveley’s Les Saint-Georges shows quite ripe (but not overripe) red and dark fruits with a smooth texture. There’s length here and quality tannins. Those who especially prize ripeness will be even more than I. (91-95)
Faiveley has an amazing trio of Chambolle premiers crus, but alas their quantity is extremely limited.
2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d’Orveau
This wine may not be commercially released, as there is only half a barrel of it due to the frost. Faiveley followed the methods it has used to vinify its Musigny when there was an equally small portion. From the vineyard just to the south of Musigny, the Combe d’Orveau is dense, pure, crystalline, round, and ample. There’s a lot of new oak showing at the moment, but the wine has the substance to integrate and absorb it. It should be a wine of grand cru quality. (94-97)
2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Fuées
Directly south of grand cru Bonnes-Mares, the Fuées, too, is of grand cru quality. This wine is tighter and less ripe than the Combe d’Orveau. It features red fruits, good tightness, and perfect balance. (94-97)
2016 Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru Les Amoureuses
Here, Faiveley produced 2 barrels, compared to 3-1/2 in a normal year. The wine is pure with red fruits and some dark, intensity, sensuality, and depth. In short, it is classic Amoureuses. Note: Faiveley does not own the land here, so the wine is sold under Faiveley’s négociant label, Joseph Faiveley. (94-97)
Faiveley’s Gevrey premiers crus, while not as fantastic as the Chambolle premiers crus, are impressive on their own, nevertheless.
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru La Combe aux Moînes
The Combe aux Moînes displays pure, intense, deep red fruits along with minerality and sensuality. (93-96)
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Clos des Issarts
The Clos des Issarts is a real insider’s wine: a Faiveley monopole, it is located just across the road from Rousseau’s Clos des Ruchottes (Ruchottes-Chambertin) and the resemblance is striking. The wine is nervy and energetic with red currant fruit, intensity, and penetration. (93-96)
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques
This property came to Faiveley as part of the Dupon-Tisserandot acquisition a few years back. The wine is stony, energetic, and pure with dark fruits — classic Lavaux Saint-Jacques. (92-96)
2016 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers
Although Faiveley generally wasn’t badly hit by frost for its Gevrey holdings, the Cazetiers did suffer and so is reduced in quantity. The wine has dark fruits in a body that is round and tender. The animal/musky quality characteristic of the vineyard is here, and the wine is medium-weight with good penetration. (92-95)