Description
🏰 【 Winery Legend: Domaine Nicolas Faure 】
When discussing the most elusive "Cult Micro-Domaines" in modern Burgundy, Nicolas Faure is at the top of the list. Not born into a winemaking dynasty, Faure built his formidable skills interning at legendary estates like Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) and Prieuré-Roch. His philosophy is simple yet profound: treat every regional plot as if it were a Grand Cru. This Bourgogne Rouge "Aux Argillières" comes from a minuscule 0.12-hectare plot.
⚠️ **Crucial Intel: 2023 is the "Final Vintage" of this wine!** Nicolas Faure pulled up these 1985-planted vines in 2024. This means the bottle before you is the ultimate swan song of this terroir under Faure's mastery—a true collector's item with irreplaceable historical value.
🌿 【 Terroir & Vinification 】
"Aux Argillières" is located at the base of the slope in Premeaux-Prissey. The clay and alluvial stone soils lend an unexpected density and nerve to the wine. Despite its regional AOC status, Faure employs elite winemaking techniques: **100% whole cluster fermentation** and aging exclusively in used barrels for 12 months. This ultra-gentle extraction method preserves the most fragile, pure floral notes and the vibrant juice of the Pinot Noir, free from the masking effects of new oak.
📅 【 Vintage Insight & Scores 】
2023 is a vintage of purity, energy, and crunchiness. This final release garnered exceptionally high praise from critics, a rarity for a wine at the Bourgogne Rouge level. It is transparent, bright, and crackling with life.
🏅 Score: Vinous 91 (Neal Martin)
Vinous (Neal Martin):
"The 2023 Bourgogne Rouge Les Argillières has a beautiful bouquet of red cherries and raspberry fruit that blossoms in the glass with wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit, quite saline with a brittle and fresh finish. Enjoy this because it is the last vintage—Faure pulled up the vines in the 2024 vintage."
🍷 【 Tasting Notes 】
👃 Nose:
An explosive and piercing bouquet. The 100% whole-cluster approach delivers Faure's signature aromatics: **peony**, **rose petals**, and bright **red cherries**. This is quickly followed by savory, slightly bitter herbal notes reminiscent of **blood orange**, **bramble**, and **Campari**.
👅 Palate:
Light-to-medium-bodied and incredibly "crunchy." The tannins are super fine but possess a slight, energetic grip. The acidity is lively, carrying a distinct **saline** minerality. This is not a dark, heavy wine; it is an electric, ethereal, lace-like work of art vibrating with energy.
✨ Finish:
Clean, crisp, and refreshing, leaving a lingering trail of red berries and crushed stones.
🍽️ 【 Serving Guide 】
🌡️ Temperature: Serve at **14°C - 16°C** (Slightly cooler to preserve its vibrant aromatics).
⌛ Decanting: **Decant for 1-2 hours.** As a low-intervention wine, it may exhibit slight reduction or a tiny bit of spritz upon opening. Air will allow the profound floral notes to blossom magically.
⏳ Drinking Window: **Drink Now (with air)**, or hold until **2033**.
🍴 Food Pairing: Its ethereal body pairs beautifully with delicate meats. Ideal with **Roasted Spring Chicken**, **Pan-seared Duck Breast with berry sauce**, **Quail**, or **refined mushroom dishes**.
💬 【 Manager's Pick 】
⚡ This is literally a "once-in-a-lifetime" bottle. Nicolas Faure's reputation is stratospheric right now, and his regional wines trade at prices higher than many famous 1er Crus on the grey market. The 2023 Aux Argillières is the historic "Final Vintage" because the vineyard has been ripped up. Drinking this feels akin to drinking Charles Lachaux—hyper-elegant, insanely floral, with that blood orange and whole-cluster magic. If you are a die-hard fan of the natural Burgundy movement or a collector of extreme rarities, this 2023 is a mandatory "Time Capsule" for your cellar. You aren't just buying wine; you are buying history. ⚡
⚠️ 【 Disclaimer 】 This is a low-intervention, natural-leaning Burgundy. Its body is ethereal and light. The premium price reflects its extreme rarity (cult status) and its significance as a final vintage, rather than traditional "weight or power." Recommended for those who understand and adore this specific style.
