Domaine Faiveley Clos de Vougeot Grand Cru 2021

Domaine Faiveley is a long-established Burgundy house, and this is its Clos de Vougeot, a walled Grand Cru of around fifty hectares in the heart of the Côte de Nuits. The soils vary across the slope, from gravelly limestone at the top to deeper clay lower down, and they give the wine its richness, structure and the savoury, mineral backbone of the appellation. The east-facing aspect and the wide swing between warm days and cool nights preserve the acidity and the dark-fruited, earthy aromatics typical of Vougeot. Pinot Noir here is fermented to extract colour and tannin, then matured eighteen months in oak barrels, a slow process where measured oxygen exchange softens the tannins and adds depth without overwhelming the fruit. The 2021 vintage was cool and gives a structured, classic style for ageing. The colour is deep ruby. The nose shows dark cherry, plum and redcurrant over forest floor, liquorice and a touch of leather. The palate is full and structured, with firm but fine tannins, fresh acidity and a long, savoury finish. Serve at 16 to 17 degrees and decant. It suits roast beef, game and mushroom dishes.