Domaine Faiveley Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2020

Domaine Faiveley Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2020

This is a wine of exceptional quality and pedigree. This grand cru from the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, France, is a true reflection of the skill and passion of the Faiveley family, who have been producing wines in the region for over two centuries. Based in Nuits-St-Georges, the famous Domaine Faiveley was founded in 1825 and in more recent times, the domaine has greatly expanded its vineyards across the entire Côte d’Or. The grapes are entirely de-stemmed and fermented in a mix of new wooden vats for the top end wines and stainless steel for the lesser cuvées. Once notorious for being fairly austere, there has been less emphasis on extraction over the last ten years and the wines show increased freshness, purity of fruit and more judicious use of oak. A contender for one of the most improved domaines in Burgundy over the last decade.

This wine is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes, which are grown in the vineyards surrounding the village of Aloxe-Corton. The vines are carefully tended throughout the growing season, and the grapes are harvested and sorted by hand to ensure the highest quality. It then undergoes vinification for 4 weeks in French oak barrels (50-60% of which are new oak) in cellars at consistent, natural temperatures and hygrometry. The wines are stirred frequently in order to keep the wine in contact with the lees and then aged for 18 months. This enables them to retain excellent tension and aromatic complexity to reveal the true character of the grapes as well as a smooth, delicate palate. 2020 is a solar vintage yet this wine shows a lot of freshness and no flavours of over-ripeness.

A cool, restrained and airy nose features notes of mineral reduction, smoked green apple and pretty floral wisps. There is fine density and power to the larger-bodied flavors that possess a caressing if markedly intense flavors that exhibit outstanding depth and persistence. This is an excellent wine that displays first-rate fruit-acid and concentration balance. Drink through 2030+. 93-95 points Allen Meadows - Burghound

The 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has turned out especially well, opening in the glass with aromas of pear, peach, white flowers, freshly baked bread, nutmeg and hazelnuts. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's unusually textural and broad-shouldered for this Ladoix-derived cuvée, displaying bright acids and chalky structuring extract. 94-96 points William Kelley - Wine Advocate (Jan 21, 2022)

The 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has turned out especially well, opening in the glass with aromas of pear, peach, white flowers, freshly baked bread, nutmeg and hazelnuts. Full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, it's unusually textural and broad-shouldered for this Ladoix-derived cuvée, displaying bright acids and chalky structuring extract. 96 Points - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate

Pale lemon colour, a little waxiness, a touch of oak, not so many stones. Then a quiet patch, then the real wine comes out behind with a little lime juice. It is a bit disjointed at this stage in its elevage. This normally turns into a first rate wine, but it is not showing its full potential on today’s form. 92-94 points Jasper Morris MW - Inside Burgundy