Description
🏰 【 Winery Legend: Domaine Faiveley 】
Founded in 1825, Domaine Faiveley is headquartered in the village of Nuits-Saint-Georges and stands as one of the most historic and significant vineyard owners in Burgundy. This 1996 vintage masterpiece was born during the era when the previous proprietor, François Faiveley, was at the helm. During his tenure, the domaine's winemaking style was globally renowned for being incredibly firm, highly structured, and possessing astonishing aging potential. They were widely considered the uncompromising guardians of traditional, long-lived Burgundy. While the current head, Erwan Faiveley, has since shifted the style toward earlier accessibility and elegance, the 1990s Faiveley wines remain legendary among seasoned collectors. They are the ultimate testament to the magic of time and the profound aging capabilities of fine Pinot Noir.
🌿 【 Terroir & Winemaking 】
Les Cazetiers is one of the most highly revered Premier Crus in the village of Gevrey-Chambertin, boasting an exceptional location directly adjacent to the mythical Clos Saint-Jacques. Situated at a higher elevation, the steep slopes feature soils rich in white marl, limestone, and clay, offering superb drainage. This specific terroir endows the Pinot Noir with a formidable structural backbone, profound complexity, and a penetrating mineral tension. Under the traditional winemaking practices of the 1990s, Faiveley insisted on extended maceration periods to extract abundant tannins and color. The wine was then aged in French oak barrels for approximately 16 to 18 months, with around 50% new oak. This uncompromising approach forged the unwavering framework that allows Les Cazetiers to age so magnificently.
📅 【 Vintage Analysis & Critic Scores 】
The 1996 vintage is a legendary and structurally powerful year for red Burgundy. A dry north wind in September not only concentrated the grapes but also preserved extremely high acidity. Pinot Noirs from 1996 were famously austere in their youth, marked by muscular tannins and soaring acidity, requiring decades to fully soften. However, for a domaine like Faiveley—already known for its firm style—this vintage bestowed near-immortal longevity upon their wines. Now, after nearly thirty years of careful cellaring, this wine has finally shed its youthful edges and entered a breathtakingly beautiful peak drinking window.
🏅 Score: Domaine Faiveley (Producer Note)
"Deep ruby red hue with an intense and complex nose characterised by red fruits, toast and subtle roasted notes. The palate is rich and round with a firm structure and direct tannins. This remarkably powerful wine offers a silky mouthfeel and exceptional length." - Domaine Faiveley
Translation: 深寶石紅色澤，帶有強烈且複雜的香氣，以紅色水果、烤吐司與微妙的烘烤氣息為特徵。口感豐富圓潤，結構堅實，單寧直接。這款非凡強勁的葡萄酒提供了如絲綢般的口感與卓越的餘韻。
🍷 【 Tasting Notes 】
👃 Aroma
After nearly three decades of bottle maturation, the primary fruit has gracefully evolved into a mesmerizing bouquet of tertiary aromas. The nose opens with profound notes of autumnal forest floor (sous-bois), truffles, aged leather, and old cigar box, accompanied by lingering scents of dried black cherries, licorice, and subtle baking spices.
👅 Palate
Medium to full-bodied, the hallmark bright acidity of the 1996 vintage remains vibrant, serving as the powerful central pillar of the wine. The once-formidable tannins have now melted into a velvety, seamless texture. The palate offers complex, mature flavors of desiccated red berries, earthy minerality, and black tea leaves, while the overall structure remains tightly knit and full of tension.
✨ Finish
The finish is exceptionally long, deep, and savory, leaving elegant, earthy echoes that profoundly communicate the ultimate charm of a perfectly aged wine.
🍽️ 【 Serving Guidelines 】
🌡️ Temperature
16 to 18 Degrees Celsius
⌛ Decanting
As this is an extremely precious and fragile mature wine, aggressive decanting is strongly prohibited. Please stand the bottle upright for 24 hours prior to opening to let the sediment settle. Pour exceedingly gently directly into a Burgundy glass and allow the wine to awaken naturally.
⏳ Drinkability
Currently sitting at its absolute peak of maturity, showcasing its most opulent tertiary characters. It is highly recommended to enjoy it soon.
🍴 Food Pairing
Truffle risotto, slow-braised Boeuf Bourguignon, pan-seared duck breast, or aged hard cheeses and roasted quail with earthy reductions.
💬 【 Manager's Pick 】
⚡ This 1996 Faiveley Les Cazetiers is an absolute holy grail for lovers of mature Burgundy! Back in the 90s, under François Faiveley, the domaine was famous for producing fiercely structured wines built for the long haul. 1996 is a legendary vintage known for its massive acidity and tannins. Combine the two, wait almost 30 years, and you finally reach absolute perfection! Les Cazetiers is a Premier Cru that easily rivals Grand Crus. Today, the aromas of truffles, leather, and autumn leaves are fully expressed, and the tannins are like pure silk. This is incredible value. If you want to experience the true power and magic of aged, traditional Burgundy, this is a must-buy! ⚡
⚠️ 【 Disclaimer 】 The above information is for reference only. Actual tasting experiences may vary depending on storage conditions and personal preferences. We strive for accurate data, but please refer to official releases for final confirmation.
