Domaine Faiveley Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022

Winery Background and History

Founded in 1825, Domaine Faiveley is a family-owned estate based in Nuits-Saint-Georges, Burgundy. Spanning over 125 hectares, it is one of the largest vineyard owners in the region. Under the leadership of Erwan Faiveley since 2005, the domaine has embraced sustainable viticulture and modernized winemaking techniques, enhancing the quality and reputation of its wines. Faiveley’s holdings include prestigious Grand Cru and Premier Cru sites across the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune.

Producer and Wine Maker

Erwan Faiveley, representing the seventh generation of the Faiveley family, has been instrumental in elevating the estate’s stature. Collaborating with Technical Director Jérôme Flous, the team emphasizes precision in both vineyard management and winemaking. Their approach focuses on minimal intervention, allowing each wine to express its unique origin. The duo’s dedication to quality and innovation ensures that Domaine Faiveley’s wines consistently showcase elegance, depth, and a true sense of place.

Vineyards and Micro Climate

The Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru vineyard is situated on the renowned Corton hill, spanning the communes of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses, and Ladoix-Serrigny. Domaine Faiveley’s parcels are located in the “Le Charlemagne” and “En Charlemagne” lieux-dits, benefiting from a mix of exposures and soil compositions. This diversity contributes to the wine’s complexity and balance. The vineyard’s high elevation and limestone-rich soils impart a distinctive minerality to the wines.

Vinification & Aging Methods

Grapes are hand-harvested and undergo gentle pressing. Fermentation occurs in French oak barrels, with 50-60% being new oak, over a period of four weeks. The wine is aged on its lees for 18 months, with regular bâtonnage (lees stirring) to enhance texture and complexity. This traditional approach, combined with modern precision, results in a wine that embodies both richness and finesse.

Tasting Notes

The 2022 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru presents a brilliant pale yellow hue. The nose is expressive, revealing aromas of citrus zest, white peach, white flowers, fresh mint, and wet stones. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, layered, and dense, with a tightly wound structure. It exhibits a satiny texture, chiseled minerality, and a long, chalky finish. The wine’s balance of richness and acidity ensures both immediate appeal and long-term aging potential.

Food & Wine Pairing

This Grand Cru Chardonnay pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, including roasted poultry, lobster, and aged cheeses like Comté. Its richness complements creamy sauces, while its acidity balances fatty meats. For a classic pairing, consider serving it with caviar or oysters to highlight its elegance and complexity.

Service Methods and Temperatures

Serve the 2022 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru at 12°C to 14°C (54°F to 57°F) in a tulip-shaped white wine glass to concentrate its aromas. No decanting is necessary. Allowing the wine to breathe for a few minutes in the glass will enhance its expressive bouquet.

Storage and Aging Potential

Store bottles horizontally in a cool, dark place with consistent temperature and humidity. While the 2022 vintage is approachable now, it possesses the structure to age gracefully for 10 to 15 years, developing greater complexity and depth over time.

Grape Varietals & percentage used

100% Chardonnay

ABV (Alcohol by Volume)

13.5%

Scores

• Wine Advocate: 94–96

• Robert Parker: 94–96

• James Suckling: 98–99