2015 Domaine Faiveley, Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru, Les Ouvrees Rodin

(made from same plot of 60+-year-old vines on the Chambertin side of this grand cru as in the past; 100% destemmed): Bright dark red. Raspberry and a touch of reduction on the nose. Then dense, sappy and high-pitched in the mouth, with terrific intensity and saline complexity to the intense red berry flavors. Notes of menthol and crushed stone contribute to an impression of youthful tightness. Harder to taste today than the classic Clos de Bèze, which is showing more energy and salty minerality in the early going. But this is subtler and longer on the aftertaste, with a distinctly floral, feminine character that reminded me of a great Chambolle-Musigny. Very different in style from Faiveley's "basic" Clos de Bèze, but is it better?

Surprisingly floral on the nose, with delicate and charming raspberry fruit. Lean, precise and very fresh, this is less hefty than the regular Clos de Beze and has more finesse and delicacy. Exeptionally stylish for this site.

Erwan Faiveley : A single bottling they started in 2010. From the oldest of their three plots, 0.31 ha. We think 2025 may be the last vintage of this bottling as the vines are now so old. Jérôme Flous, technical director: Dry season and low yield. Lots of IPT . From 2007 we instigated gentler vinification. We were asked to compare with the similar 2005 vintage. This was vinified in the old winery in oak tanks, 50% new and 50% second use. 12-day cuvaison (quite short because of the high IPT). Transparent garnet. Heady nose leapt of the glass and then there was a vegy note on getting closer, plus some cough-medicine spice! Very sweet palate entry but lift, too! A very elegant, even pretty, Clos de Bèze if that’s not an oxymoron. Gentle texture. You’d never know it has a high IPT. Very well made. Clean and fresh on the long finish which shows just a little tannin on the end. (JR)