Faiveley Gevrey Premier Cru Cazetiers 2017 – SWEET SPOT, OUTSTANDING – BURGHOUND

The 2017 reds are very good, often excellent, and from time to time, bloody awesome…. The growing season did not leave such a heavy imprimatur upon the wines as others, including 2015 and 2016. Wines are governed more by the DNA of each vineyard and then sculpted by winemakers’ decisions. NEAL MARTIN, Vinous

Speaking of overall wine quality, the key takeaway for readers is that when the 2017s are good, they are very good and entirely classic in style.
However, I would underscore that while some readers may ultimately prefer the style of 2017 to that of 2016, both are largely cut from the same cloth, which is to say vintages of transparency and elegance.
So, as with every vintage, the two questions for you as consumers that take precedence over everything else always are: should I buy the wines and if so, how much of them? The best wines are wonderfully refreshing, transparent and graceful with moderately firm tannic spines where the all-important element of balance is supplemented by good but not high acidities. Perhaps their most appealing asset is just how refreshing and energetic they are because even as new and unbottled wines they already make one feel like drinking them. I would put it this way: you almost certainly will want to have some 2017s in your cellars as I for one really love the style. BURGHOUND

Domaine Faiveley is one of the biggest domaines (115ha) in Burgundy and, many would argue, one of the best.
The change of generation, enhanced by the arrival of Bernard Hervet as Managing Director, is clear warning of the intention to dynamise the business. The most obvious change though is in the barrel cellar where the previous supplier has been dropped and replaced with Francois Frères, Taransaud and three other coopers.  Old style Faiveley wines could be massively tannic at the expense of the fruit. From 2007 the wines are much fresher and fruitier, yet still with real intensity.
Many of Faiveley's top wines are hand bottled with no filtration. This in turn results in clean, opulent wines that often show Pinot Noir at its best. Their concentration and richness are rarely equalled. JASPER MORRIS MW

 

Recently shipped from the estate and now resting in the cellars of the importer, this has perfect provenance and you can tell when tasting it.

I think this is a bit of a no brainer for any and all Burgundy lovers. It hits the sweet spot, the price is right, with the seemingly unstoppable march towards Burgundian insanity, prices like this for a climat like this, from Faiveley is a breath of fresh air.

The quality is, as always, super. It was really nice to see this wine, now with a little time under the belt, its fleshed out some and added a lot of airy details and succulence to the fruit. Their 17s were tremendous when released and that early promise is still bright and clear in this wine.

There is that “fragility” or “tenderness” that is so appealing in the best 17s, the tannins are soft and melting, the fruit gently gobbles that up, acidity is bright but not too flashy, providing a certain snap to the overall feel of the palate. I like the wine now for its openness and beautifully sculpted texture. Also the definitive lick of rocky minerality and that reverberates gently in the oh so Gevrey like palate.

However… there is plenty of gas in the tank here and I think it will evolve along similar lines for another decade. I don’t think I would want to hold it longer than that, but I like these wines for their inherent freshness and beautiful fruit, it will age, but I think from now to 2034 ish is my predicted range of maximum yumminess.

Anyway, for anyone not familiar with this Cru it is jammed in between Clos St Jacques and Combe Aux Moine. It is that dreamy little stretch of Crus that I think hold some of the best potential Premier Cru dirt in the Cote.

Really, this is a genuine find and we are stoked to be able to offer some to our customers.