Corton Clos des Cortons, Domaine Faiveley 2012

Initially there is noticeable reduction but I found with relatively aggressive swirling that it largely dissipated to reveal notes of both red and dark currant, pungent earth and plenty of that gamy sauvage character. There is exceptionally good richness and volume to the big-bodied and impressively concentrated flavors that coat the palate with dry extract that does a reasonably good job of buffering the firmly tannic but not hard or even unduly austere finish. Even so, this is still at least 5 years away from being approachable and will need 15 plus to become adequately civilized. Drink 2027+.

Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Corton Clos des Cortons from Faiveley has a very elegant and pure bouquet that expresses more essence of pinoté than others. There is a candied quality to the aromatics, perhaps even a playfulness. The palate is well balanced and supple in the mouth, perhaps the oak a little too strong towards the finish. This is a Corton that seemingly wants to exude finesse, but in order for that to happen, the imprint of the winemaking needs to ebb away. My score is based on the opinion that it will.

Bright, deep red. Deep aromas of black cherry, crushed rock and graphite. Dense, sappy and energetic, offering outstanding depth to its soil-driven black cherry and saline flavors. Delivers an uncanny combination of chewy texture and verve. Finishes with palate-staining length and lift, as tactile as a solid. A great vin de terroir for the cellar.

The quality of this wine has skyrocketed over the past few vintages; while it was always very good, it has now become one of the most consistent performers in the Faiveley portfolio. There is quite a bit of wood influence at present and it fights a bit with the spicy dark berry fruit aromas that exhibit plenty of earth and game character. The impressively scaled and concentrated broad-shouldered flavors possess an opulent yet entirely serious mouth feel before culminating in a balanced, explosively and tremendously persistent finish. This is a bit woody today yet the underlying material is such that it seems all but evident that it will successfully integrate the oak in time.