Faiveley-My new Fave

It’s easy to enjoy great Burgundy-if you have deep pockets. I manage to try a lot of Burgundian wine every year, and I definitely enjoy it, but I am lucky enough to not have to buy a whole lot of it with my own money.

In Burgundy, there are only two grapes of note, pinot noir and chardonnay. Gamay and melon de Bourgogne are also found in the region, but to my mind are best discussed on their own.

Erwan Faiveley from Domaine Faiveley was in Calgary recently to talk about and share his wines. He’s young, good looking, probably rich, and since 2004, in charge of a Burgundy Domaine that has been around since 1825. Most importantly, the wines are good-real good. Over a fantastic dinner at Chef’s Table at the Kensington Riverside Inn, we tried a number of his family’s bottlings and I was suitably impressed.

 First off, anyone charging a couple of hundred bucks for a top cru in Burgundy should be making great wine. There are lots of wines out there ready to kill your budget-trust me, but what was really catching my interest that night were the two “entry level” wines we started the night with.

Faiveley 2010 Bourgogne Blanc

Pale in the glass with juicy, ripe, tropical fruit with a little vanilla bean and a slightly chalky mineral character for the nose. Wonderfully creamy without excess, the acids are perfectly suited to the body of the wine and the wine is infinitely quaffable. I’d drink 2, maybe 3 glasses on its own with no problem, but roast poultry or creamy pastas would hit the spot with this charming wine. A great buy for about $20
(★★★★★) Excellent

Faiveley 2008 Pinot Noir Bourgogne Paulee

Medium colour, even for a pinot noir, crushed raspberries and cherries on the nose with menthol, wood, and a bit of tomato stalk for depth with a welcome flavour of spice and slightly resinous fruit. Tannins have a little kick but this should be just perfect with a little duck or lamb. $19 in Alberta
(★★★★) Highly Recommended