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.
Professional Ratings
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Jasper Morris
Much more massive of course than the Echezeaux which preceded it. There are no stems retained, though Jérôme Flous thinks he might like to try some in Clos Vougeot. A reductive wood note is slightly interfering with the purity of the nose. Certainly very sweet fruit on the palate, on the chunky side, but that’s fine for a young Clos Vougeot.
Barrel Sample: 94-96 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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.
Barrel Sample: 93-95
Founded in 1825, Bourgognes Faiveley has been handed down from father to son for over 175 years. As the sixth generation to take the reins, François Faiveley manages, with equal amounts passion and competence, the largest family domaine in Burgundy. Methodically reconstructing vineyards fractured by French inheritance laws, Bourgognes Faiveley today owns more appellations in their entirety (monopoles) than any other domaine in Burgundy.
"Faiveley’s wines are... supremely clean and elegant: definitive examples of Pinot Noir... above all they have richness and breed, the thumbprint of a master winemaker."
-Clive Coates M.W.
Côte d’Or, A Celebration of the Great Wines of Burgundy
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Containing the largest Grand Cru in all of the Côte d’Or, Vougeot, the village, takes its name from the small stream flowing through it, called Vouge. Over three quarters of the village retains Grand Cru status, and a single vineyard at that: Clos de Vougeot (or simply, Clos Vougeot). Its mass—over 50 ha—retains the single name chiefly for historic reasons.
But today, Clos de Vougeot contains over 80 owners and shows significant soil and slope variations within its boundaries. The top, bordering Musigny and Grands Echezeaux, is calcareous and gravelly on oolitic limestone and exhibits wonderful drainage. The middle sections are limestone, gravel and clay with less of a slope. The lower part has little slant and is mostly made of clay. Historically the diverse parcels were blended but today the abundance of owners means that everyone has his own style. Exploring and understanding them is part of the allure of Clos de Vougeot.
In general a fine Clos de Vougeot when young will be dense and dark but juicy, with a pronounced austerity, and needs a good ten years to bring it to its full potential.