2016 Domaine Faiveley, Gevrey-Chambertin Premier Cru, Lavaut Saint-Jacques

Bright dark red. Deeper pitched and more musky than the Clos des Issarts on the nose, showing more dark fruits and violet than raspberry and minerals today. Then plush and fresh in the mouth, offering surprising early appeal and sweetness to its flavors of dark berries and flowers. Can't quite match the Clos des Issarts for its tightly coiled spring, but boasts excellent old-vines intensity and plenty of verve. Despite its firm tannins, I suspect this wine will give relatively early pleasure. The yield here was less than 30 hectoliters per hectare, according to technical director Jérôme Flous.

Cask sample. Mid crimson. Pure red fruit on the nose. Supple, succulent and already delicious. The oak is hidden behind the lovely scented fruit. Dry, fresh finesse. (JH)