January 29th, 2003 was the first time I tasted Grand Cru Burgundy. I remember the evening well. I was living in England and was organizing a tasting of the wines of Domaine Faiveley as part of the Cambridge University Wine Society. Mark Bingley, a Master of Wine, led the Society through nine of the Domaine's wines, culminating with Corton Clos Des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru. I recall looking at the wine in glass, smelling, and tasting it, and realizing the wine was something special. Perhaps it was a bit too much to process at the time - the deep sensual fruit, the exotic spices, and the deft use of oak; however, I had no doubt that I was tasting a wine meant to age, one that would evolve in the cellar.
Fast-forward to May 2013. A friend and I stopped into Bar Boulud to grab a drink after going to a tasting as part of Austrian Wine Retail Week. Each day, Mike Madrigale and his team feature a large-format bottle which they pour by the glass. I literally got the last glass of the first magnum of the evening. It was the Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru 1998. I could not contain my excitement, explaining to my friend the story above - that this wine made by Faiveley was my first Grand Cru Burgundy, a red letter date in my wine tasting history. Thirteen years in bottle, and the wine was utterly amazing. Dark cherry, subtle oak, perfume, and exotic spices abounded. The was was elegant, but with a certain presence that showed its pedigree. My friend was initially skeptical at my excitement; however, after a few swirls and tastes, the Clos de Cortons Faiveley had won the day.
The most amazing thing about the experience? I went home and dug out my tasting notes from that Burgundy tasting in 2003. Wine #9, the Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley that I tasted, with my notes scribbled across the page, was the1998 vintage. What an experience to be able to taste the same Grand Cru from the same vintage a decade apart, and to still be just as amazed at the beauty and elegance of the wine.
Fast-forward to May 2013. A friend and I stopped into Bar Boulud to grab a drink after going to a tasting as part of Austrian Wine Retail Week. Each day, Mike Madrigale and his team feature a large-format bottle which they pour by the glass. I literally got the last glass of the first magnum of the evening. It was the Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru 1998. I could not contain my excitement, explaining to my friend the story above - that this wine made by Faiveley was my first Grand Cru Burgundy, a red letter date in my wine tasting history. Thirteen years in bottle, and the wine was utterly amazing. Dark cherry, subtle oak, perfume, and exotic spices abounded. The was was elegant, but with a certain presence that showed its pedigree. My friend was initially skeptical at my excitement; however, after a few swirls and tastes, the Clos de Cortons Faiveley had won the day.
The most amazing thing about the experience? I went home and dug out my tasting notes from that Burgundy tasting in 2003. Wine #9, the Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley that I tasted, with my notes scribbled across the page, was the1998 vintage. What an experience to be able to taste the same Grand Cru from the same vintage a decade apart, and to still be just as amazed at the beauty and elegance of the wine.