"2019 is potentially a grand vintage as it has everything it needs to be so described” - Allen Meadows, www.burghound.com
"This is a thrilling year for Pinot Noir, delivering wines bursting with head-turning perfume and fresh, succulent fruit” - William Kelley, www.robertparker.com
We’re thrilled to offer the first wines from the HIGHLY anticipated 2019 Burgundy vintage, via a pre-arrival from Domaine Faiveley (bottles DUE July 2021).
After Faiveleys change in house style from the 2007 vintage onwards, and a couple of tweaks to this along the way, there is no doubt Domaine Faiveley are performing at an elite level, even by lofty Burgundian standards. Their vineyard holdings are a role-call of Burgundy’s finest terroir; a number of which may be considered benchmarks of their appellations (Clos des Cortons Grand Cru, Gevrey Chambertin Cazetiers 1er Cru, Latricieres Chambertin Grand Cru spring to mind). Astoundingly these beauties are still offered at very accessible prices, and better yet, the structure and balance of these wines allow them to be accessed and enjoyed early, as well as improving with cellar time.
Along with a comprehensive range of great 2019 available, we have equipped you with text and attachments below in order to give you all the information you need to purchase this vintage with confidence. As my stockbroker would say, these are a high conviction buy!
As you will read in the vintage review below, quality is very high, however quantities are low. We have placed a large order for the wines below, but please advise your ideal order as soon as you can so we can lock in your order. There are no order limits at this stage. The 2019 Faiveleys will represent among the finest quality/value from this exciting harvest.
We’re very lucky to have had considerable experience with many Faiveley wines in the past (and visited a couple of times too!), so please do not hesitate to ask any questions on any of the wines below.
TO ORDER ANY OF THE WINES IN THIS OFFER, PLEASE CONTACT BRENT WILLIAMSON ON 0732521117 or brent@thewineemporium.com.au - Prices valid until stock runs out or until end of June 2021.
A NOTE ABOUT THE VINTAGE
2019 Faiveley Vintage by Dr William Kelley, www.robertparker.com
"Jérôme Flous told me that Faiveley began picking on September 9, finishing by the 20th, and that yields averaged out at around 35 hectoliters per hectare in white and a little less in red. Comparing the 2019 vintage to "a more concentrated version of 2010," he admires—as I do—its vibrant fruit tones and refined tannins, finding it more elegant than 2018. The quality of the red wines chez Faiveley is old news, and for more information on this firm's evolution I direct readers to my report published in the August 2020 Week 1 issue of The Wine Advocate. It's worth underlining, however, how good the whites are these days: Flous tells me that he now includes fûts from Damy and Chassin in the white wine barrel program, and in the last few vintages, I've found the wines' new oak component better and better integrated."
2019 Faiveley Vintage by Allen Meadows, www.burghound.com
With respect to the Côte d'Or they commented that "we picked from the 9th to the 21st of September and the fruit, both chardonnay and pinot noir, was super-clean. Like the Côte Chalonnaise though, yields were quite limited, coming in as they did between 25 and 35 hl/ha, which was also true for both colors. This is the smallest yields that we have had in chardonnay since 2007. Alcohols were relatively high if not truly excessive at between 13.5 and 14.5%. Because of the high level of extractability, we chose to vinify very lightly with limited amounts of whole clusters. When looking at 2018, we were in a sense at the mercy of the raw materials in terms of extraction because the skins were so thick that you could not have touched the fermentations and still had very big and tannic reds. In 2019, we had more room to maneuver in terms of an extraction strategy. In retrospect, we chose well because 2019 also gave us quite structured wines so less was more in a sense. As to the wines, the reds are genuinely exceptional with excellent freshness and energy as well as lovely terroir transparency. They're not necessarily greater than their 2018 counterparts but they are definitely more homogenous. By contrast, the jury is still out for the whites. They continue to improve month by month and they are already very good.
KEY TO REVIEWERS
NM - Neal Martin for www.vinous.com
WK - William Kelley for www.robertparker.com
BH - Allen Meadows for www.burghound.com
THE WHITE WINES (Chardonnay)
2019 Faiveley Meursault 1er Cru “Blagny" - $149 per bottle ; RRP $180
"Notes of smoky orchard fruit, white flowers and citrus oil introduce the 2019 Meursault 1er Cru Blagny (Maison), a medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping wine that's lively and mineral. This will offer a broad drinking window." Score: 91, Tasted: Jan 15, 2021, Drink: 2022-2040, William Kelley - The Wine Advocate
2019 Faiveley Meursault 1er Cru "Les Charmes" - $225 per bottle ; RRP $270
2019 Domaine Faiveley Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Referts" - $205 per bottle ; RRP $240
2019 Domaine Faiveley Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Folatieres" - $209 per bottle ; RRP $245
2019 Domaine Faiveley Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru "Champ Gain" - $189 per bottle ; RRP $230
"The 2019 Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Champ Gain is showing very nicely, offering up aromas of citrus oil, pear and fresh apricot, complemented by hints of pastry cream and warm bread. Medium to full-bodied, bright and fleshy, with lively acids and an ample core of fruit, it concludes with a precise, mineral finish.” Score: (92-94), Tasted: Jan 15, 2021, William Kelley - The Wine Advocate
THE RED WINES (Pinot Noir)
2019 Domaine Faiveley Beaune 1er Cru "Clos de l'Ecu" - $122 per bottle ; RRP $145
"Aromas of plums, rich forest floor, warm spices and smoked meats introduce the 2019 Beaune 1er Cru Clos de l'Écu Monopole, a medium-bodied, bright and elegant wine that's satiny and melting, with lively acids and fine, powdery tannins. This is as fine a rendition of the Clos de l'Écu as I can remember tasting." - 91-93 WK
"A mildly reduced nose still seems both fresh and ripe thanks to the excellent vibrancy of the nicely concentrated and tautly muscular flavors that possess a beguiling underlying tension that carries over to the youthfully austere and sneaky long finish. This firmly structured effort will require at least a decade to reach its peak." Score: 89.92, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2034+, Issue 81 - Burghound
2019 Domaine Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru "Les Damodes" - $189 per bottle ; RRP $230
"Aromas of cassis, plums, orange rind and spicy new oak preface Faiveley's 2019 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Damodes, a medium to full-bodied, deep and lively wine with a concentrated core of fruit, framed by powdery tannins. Concluding with a long, mineral finish, it's another fine bottling from this cool, high-altitude and northeast-exposed site." Score: 92-94, Tasted: Jan 15, 2021, William Kelley - The Wine Advocate
2019 Domaine Faiveley Nuits St. Georges 1er Cru "Les St. Georges” - $278 per bottle ; RRP $330
"A mixture of domaine and purchased grapes that are vinified together, Faiveley's 2019 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru Les Saint-Georges wafts from the glass with notes of sweet berries, plums, espresso roast, dark chocolate and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered and gourmand, it's sumptuous and charming, with lively acids and a ripe, enveloping core of fruit." - 92-94+ WK
"The 2019 Nuits Saint-Georges Les Saint-Georges 1er Cru is an equal blend from Faiveley’s own vines and contract growers, plus a barrel from the Hospices de Nuits. It has a very perfumed and floral bouquet of red berry fruit complemented by wilted violets and potpourri. The medium-bodied palate offers crunchy red berry fruit laced with balsamic. Quite energetic and well defined toward the harmonious finish, which leaves a tang of white pepper on the aftertaste. This is a superb Les Saint-Georges." - 93-95 NM
"A moderately toasty nose reveals notes of both red and dark berries, newly turned earth and a touch of the sauvage. The mid-palate of the succulent, round and seductively textured medium weight plus flavors contrasts significantly with the overtly austere, compact, slightly warm and very serious finish that makes clear this is very much built for long-term cellaring. Excellent quality provided you have the patience to wait." Score: 91-94, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2034+, Issue 81 - Sweet spot Outstanding - Burghound
2019 Faiveley Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru "Les Charmes" - $249 per bottle ; RRP $300
2019 Domaine Faiveley Chambolle Musigny 1er Cru "Les Fuees" - $335 per bottle ; RRP $395
2019 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru "La Combe Aux Moines" - $199 per bottle ; RRP $235
2019 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru "Lavaux St Jacques" - $249 per bottle ; RRP $300
"Aromas of plums, smoky berry fruit, forest floor and peonies preface the 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Lavaux Saint-Jacques, a medium to full-bodied, layered and lively wine built around succulent acids and youthfully chalky tannins. This is a touch finer-boned and more precise than its richer 2018 counterpart." - 92-94 WK
"The 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin Lavaux Saint-Jacques 1er Cru is completely destemmed. It has an open-knit bouquet of brambly red fruit, singed leather and loamy aromas, all well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy black fruit and lightly spiced. The pleasant edgy finish leaves a hint of dark chocolate on the aftertaste. Very fine and commendable salinity." - 91-93 NM
"A cool, pure and ultra-fresh nose features plenty of sauvage and underbrush characters on the pretty mélange of wild red and dark berry aromas. The tension-filled and intensely mineral-driven flavors are supported by dense but relatively fine tannins on the explosively long, youthfully austere and serious finale. Unusually for Lavaut, this possesses a beguiling inner mouth perfume that renders this all the more attractive." Score: 91-94, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2034+, Issue 81 - Sweet spot Outstanding - Burghound
2019 Domaine Faiveley Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru "Les Cazetiers" - $259 per bottle ; RRP $310
Note: from a huge 3.96 ha parcel that gave yields of only 20 hl/ha in 2019
"Faiveley's 2019 Gevrey-Chambertin 1er Cru Les Cazetiers is very promising indeed, mingling aromas of smoky berry fruit and plums with hints of rose hip, orange peel, musk and spices. Medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's concentrated and vibrant, with velvety tannins, lively acids and a long, perfumed finish." - 93-95 WK
In contrast to the prior wines, here the nose is quite firmly reduced. More interesting are the superbly concentrated and gorgeously textured big-bodied, powerful and muscular flavors that flash a mix of minerality and salinity on the wonderfully complex and highly persistent finish where the only nit is a slight warmth. This is potentially outstanding and a wine that should age effortlessly.Score: 92-94, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2034+, Issue 81 - Sweet spot Outstanding - Burghound
2019 Domaine Faiveley "Clos De Vougeot" Grand Cru - $439 per bottle ; RRP $520
Note: blended from 3 separate lieux-dits, two near the bottom and one near the top
"Aromas of cherries, wild berries, incense and loamy soil, framed by a deft touch of spicy new oak, introduce the 2019 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru, a medium to full-bodied, rich and layered wine that's elegantly muscular, with terrific depth and concentration. Long and penetrating, this is a fine longer-haul proposition from Faiveley." - 93-95 WK
"The 2019 Clos Vougeot Grand Cru comes from Faiveley’s 1.27-hectare parcel. It has a floral nose with potpourri and light lavender aromas that partially occlude the fruit expression. The palate is lithe on the entry with modest depth and quite tertiary in style, and a keen thread of acidity lends freshness on the finish. A little austere in style, it opens with aeration to offer a very minerally finish. Here, it put the Echézeaux 2019 in its place." - 93-95 NM
A distinctly earthy and exceptionally fresh nose speaks of the pure essence of various red berries and a whiff of underbrush. There is both excellent density and richness to the imposingly scaled flavors that culminate in a delineated, sappy and markedly austere yet refreshing finale. This is a classically styled Clos that will take its sweet time maturing.Score: 92-95, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2036+, Issue 81 - Burghound
2019 Domaine Faiveley "Échézeaux - En Orveaux" Grand Cru - $449 per bottle ; RRP $530
"The 2019 Echézeaux En Orveaux Grand Cru has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of plums and berries, complemented by suggestions of orange peel, sweet soil tones, peonies and spices. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, it's enveloping but vibrant, with lively acids and a precise finish." - 92-94 WK
The 2019 Echézeaux En Orveaux Grand Cru has turned out nicely, offering up aromas of plums and berries, complemented by suggestions of orange peel, sweet soil tones, peonies and spices. Medium to full-bodied, broad and fleshy, it's enveloping but vibrant, with lively acids and a precise finish.Score: (92-94), Tasted: Jan 15, 2021, William Kelley - The Wine Advocate
2019 Faiveley "Grands Echezeaux" Grand Cru - $559 per bottle ; RRP $650
2019 Faiveley "Clos St Denis" Grand Cru - $439 per bottle ; RRP $520
2019 Faiveley "Clos de la Roche" Grand Cru - $479 per bottle ; RRP $550
2019 Domaine Faiveley "Mazis Chambertin" Grand Cru - $559 per bottle ; RRP $650
Note: from both Mazis Haut and Bas where the two parcels total a remarkable 1.20 ha
"Wild and brooding, Faiveley's 2019 Mazis-Chambertin Grand Cru wafts from the glass with aromas of smoked meats, spices, wild berries and forest floor. Full-bodied, layered and sapid, it's broad and muscular, with a deep core of fruit and youthfully chalky tannins. This is a serious Mazis built for the long haul." 93-95+ WK
A slightly riper and exuberantly spicy nose is composed by notes of black cherry, dark raspberry, the sauvage and a whiff of earth. There is superb mid-palate density to the opulent yet serious big-bodied flavors that are shaped by a firm core of dense and very firm tannins on the hugely long yet impeccably well-balanced finish. This muscular effort is also going to need extended cellaring if you wish to see its full, and ample, potential realized.Score: 93-95, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2039+, Issue 81 - Don't miss! - Burghound
2019 Domaine Faiveley "Latricières Chambertin" Grand Cru - $479 per bottle ; RRP $550
"One of the finest cuvées in the portfolio is once again the 2019 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru, a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered wine of unerring precision. Vibrant and multidimensional, it evokes aromas of dark berries, rose hip, bergamot, spices and black truffle. This will be worth a special effort to seek out." - 94-96 WK
"The 2019 Latricières-Chambertin Grand Cru has more cohesion and intensity than the Charmes-Chambertin, presenting lovely brambly red berry fruit mingled with potpourri and light loamy aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins, taut and crisp, displaying good depth and an animated chalky, briny finish. Classic in style, this is a superb Latricières from Faiveley, though it will need cellaring." - 94-96 NM
There is a distinctly cool quality to the restrained, ultra-fresh and airy aromas of red currant, raspberry, earth and whiffs of spice and the sauvage. The rich and beautifully delineated middle weight flavors possess superb focus along with an abundance of minerality that seems to build on the complex, refined and highly persistent finish. This classy and harmonious effort should amply repay extended cellaring.Score: 93-95, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2036+, Issue 81 - Don't miss! - Burghound
2019 Domaine Faiveley Corton "Clos Des Cortons" Grand Cru (Monopole) - $439 per bottle ; RRP $520
"The 2019 Corton Grand Cru Clos des Cortons Faiveley opens in the glass with notes of cassis, wild berries, warm spices, orange rind, rose petals, espresso roast and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered, it's vibrant and lively, marrying notable concentration with fine-boned structure. Long and mineral, it's more ethereal than its rich, muscular 2018 counterpart." - 93-95+ WK
"The 2019 Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru comes from the 2.77-hectare monopole. This was actually quite closed on the nose compared with Faiveley’s Gevrey Grand Crus, coming across earthy and rather sullen at first, and opening with earthy/woodland aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and harmonious on the entry. The fine, lightly spiced finish reveals clove and touches of graphite. Nice persistence here. This holds a lot of promise." - 93-95 NM
Here too there is a mentholated top note to the much earthier aromas of poached plum, underbrush, red currant and touches of the sauvage. There is excellent verve to the equally broad-shouldered and muscular flavors that possess outstanding complexity on the tannic, serious and beautifully long finish that is a bit less austere than it usually is at this early juncture. This beautifully well-made effort will also require extended bottle age to reveal its full potential, but it should very much be worth the wait.Score: 93-95, Tasted: Jan 10, 2021, Drink 2039+, Issue 81 - Don't miss! - Burghound
2019 Domaine Faiveley Chambertin "Clos De Bèze Ouvrees Rodin" Grand Cru - $1795 per bottle ; RRP $2100
Note: a selection of the oldest vines in one of their 3 parcels
TO ORDER ANY OF THE WINES IN THIS OFFER, PLEASE CONTACT BRENT WILLIAMSON ON 0732521117 or brent@thewineemporium.com.au - Prices valid until stock runs out or until end of June 2021.