Faiveley Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru

In the Middle Ages, the monks of Cîteaux undertook works on this Clos which is surrounded by small drystone walls. It took them over 2 centuries to build the Clos as we know it today. The demarcation of the Clos was defined in the 14th century and the boundary wall was built in the 15th century. 82 owners currently share the 50 hectares of this iconic Burgundian clos. Domaine Faiveley owns 3 parcels here, an indication of the sheer complexity of Bourgogne. 2 parcels are situated in the lower part of the clos and the 3rd in the centre of the clos near to the château.

Winemaker notes

Deep ruby red with complex fruity and floral notes (rose, violet) and a subtle hint of oak on the nose. The attack is smooth with powerful tannins. This well-structured and very persistent wine is an honour to the reputation of this exceptional Grand Cru.

2019

Burghound 92-95: 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.

Wine Advocate 93-95: 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.

Decanter 92: Faiveley owns 1.27ha in the Clos de Vougeot, spread over three parcels; two are at the bottom of the Clos, while the third lies in the section known as Grand Maupertuis. The grapes are given a classic fermentation, with a percentage of whole clusters and daily punching down, to produce a wine that has a seductively supple raspberry and violet-scented fruit. The texture is approachable, lovely and fresh, if lacking a bit of grip.

2020

Burghound 92-94: This is also aromatically restrained with its ripe mix of black and red raspberry, plenty of earth and discreet spice and wood wisps. I very much like the texture of the round, rich and markedly powerful big-bodied flavors that deliver outstanding length and solid depth on the compact finale where the only nit is a touch of warmth. Patience advised.

Wine Advocate 93-95: The 2020 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is excellent, unwinding in the glass with aromas of dark berry fruit, cassis, orange rind and spices, framed by a deft touch of classy new oak. Full-bodied, layered and muscular, it's rich and concentrated, with lively acids and a long, resonant finish. This is one site that clearly thrived in this warm, dry vintage.

James Suckling 96: Such a lovely cassis and framboise nose that you'd need to have a problem with red or dry wine not to fall in love with this. Not one of the biggest 2020s in Burgundy, but the balance and texture of this are so beautiful. Such delicate sweetness and spice. Very long, structured yet silky finish. Drink or hold.

Decanter 96: The wine has an inky dark colour and pronounced aromas of blackberry, fig, smoke and spice. The texture is lush, yet there are firm tannins and the wine never seems overbearing or aggressive - everything is kept in elegant balance. Faiveley is the proprietor of three parcels that total 1.27ha in the Clos de Vougeot, including a portion in Grand Maupertuis and two parcels nearer the bottom. The fruit was picked very ripe (14.5%) and partially destemmed before fermentation, with a very careful extraction and ageing in cask (half new).

2021

Wine Advocate 91-93: Unusually supple and giving for this site, the 2021 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru delivers aromas of plums, sweet berries, vine smoke and spices, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and perfumed palate framed by succulent acids and melting tannins.

2022

Burghound 92-95: Relatively generous wood fights somewhat with the distinctly earthy, ripe and fresh nose that blends both red and dark pinot fruit. I very much like the texture of the solidly concentrated and sappy larger-bodied flavors that exhibit good power on the balanced, youthfully austere and compact finale. While qualitatively similar to the Ech, the two wines offer very different expressions.

Wine Advocate 92-94: The 2022 Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru is deep and chunky, offering up aromas of burning embers, dark berries, orange zest, violets and spices. Full-bodied, layered and muscular, with a blocky core of fruit and tannin despite very gentle extraction, it will reward a bit of patience.

James Suckling 95-96: A hint of star anise, but also a wide spectrum of black fruit aromas. In spite of all the concentration this is bright and uplifting. Makes you feel glad to be alive!

Decanter 96: I was delighted to taste Pacalet's lovely Clos de Vougeot in the 2022 vintage (I did not taste it in 2021), with its expressively ripe plummy fruit character and earth, smoke, and leather notes lending a pleasant complexity. The texture is dense and tannic but not heavy or astringent. He rents a quarter-hectare of vines from the southern side of the climat that stretch from the wall along the road to mid-slope. The grapes are carefully sorted and fermented as whole clusters, punching down twice daily. Pacalet avoids using sulphur before bottling, yet this wine retains a delicious purity of fruit.