Corton-Charlemagne Grand cru
2018
$625.00*
1 case available
Founded in 1825, Domaine Faiveley is one of Burgundy's greatest domaines. Originally the company was a classic negotiant business, based in Nuits St. Georges and engaged in the buying and selling of wine but not the production of it. After seven generations of steadily acquiring properties throughout the Cotes de Nuits, the Cotes de Beaune, Cotes Chalonnaise and now Chablis, the Faiveley family have established themselves as the most important vineyard owners in Burgundy, with 125 hectares of...
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Legend has it that the Corton hillside was once planted exclusively with red grapes and that Charlemagne himself had a penchant for these wines. Unfortunately, the red wine left scarlet stains in the Emperor's flowing beard and his wife feared that this would bring shame upon the royal dignity. Charlemagne therefore decided to pull out the red vines and replant the vineyards with white grape variety in order to continue drinking his favourite wine. The Faiveley family purchased this parcel in 1874 along with the Corton "Clos des Cortons Faiveley" Grand Cru Monopole. The two parcels are situated side by side just above Ladoix-Serrigny.
The grapes were harvested and sorted by hand with the musts being extracted using a pneumatic press before being settled. Vinification lasted 4 weeks and took place in French oak barrels (50-60% of which are new oak) in the Faiveley cellars at consistent, natural temperatures and hygrometry. The wines were stirred frequently in order to keep it in contact with the lees and it was then aged for 18 months. This retained excellent tension and aromatic complexity as well as a smooth and delicate palate.
The nose reveals oaky, fruity and floral notes. The palate is concentrated and well-balanced with excellent aromatic persistency. The rich aromas make this Grand Cru enjoyable in its youth although it only develops its full character after a few years of bottle age. An exceptional wine with depth and minerality. Can be served with chicken in a creamy sauce, truffled foie gras, duck à l'orange, salmon in a sorrel sauce, grilled lobster.
The Faiveley holdings add up to 0.87ha on variety of soil types and altitudes, but they are all comparatively cool. This was picked late as a result on September 4th and marries richness, weight and honeyed complexity with vibrant, mineral-edged acidity and scented oak. A textbook Corton-Charlemagne from a year that didn't lend itself to classic wines.
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