WTN: Faiveley Clos de L'Ecu 1er Cru Monopole Beaune '05

I think we can finally say goodbye to the lockdowns as cases are rapidly declining. So a regular tasting note, hopefully the first of many.

Very dark. One could mistake this for a Syrah or Cab based on the color. Quite fragrant. Raspberry and strawberry, and a little coffee. Pretty much the same on the palate. Slightly woody note as well. Surprisingly tannic at the start although it didn't take too long for it to soften; less than 30 minutes. Very dry. Decent length. Not bad, if not all that interesting.

[David M. Bueker]

Those old school Faiveley wines need so much time. I have a small amount of '99 and '02 Faiveley, and just don't know when I won't run into a solid wall of tannin.

I have very good memories and notes on Faiveley Gevrey-C Cazetiers 91 at age 18 and Nuits Chaignots 93 at age 23; by then they had become well worth the wait but earlier bottles were tough.

Gouges from NSG is another producer who has a reputation for tough long haul wines. I have 3x Les Saint-Georges 99 and 3x Les Pruliers 02, which I still hesitate to open. Any views?

Another well known producer whose bottles have never sung for me was the late Hubert de Montille. Apparently his son Étienne is now making more approachable wines from the same plots.

[David M. Bueker]

Gouges, much like Faiveley, has a more open, friendly style these days.

Older Gouges is tough as nails. I opened a 2005 village NSG (from 375ml) not so long ag that was drinking reasonably well, but only because I am tolerant of significant tannin. Your '02 Pruliers might be worth a go. I suspect the '99 LSG will be immortal.