Faiveley J. – Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er cru ‘Clos de la Marechale’ 1985

Faiveley – Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Clos de la Maréchale’ 1985

1. Introduction and background

The 1985 Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Clos de la Maréchale’ from Domaine Joseph Faiveley is a classic Burgundy wine from the renowned appellation of Nuits-Saint-Georges in the Côte de Nuits. The Faiveley estate was founded in 1825 and, according to Burgundy expert Clive Coates, ranks among the most significant sources of quality in the entire Burgundy region.

The Clos de la Maréchale is a 25-hectare (approx. 10 ha) Premier Cru monopole in the commune of Prémeaux-Prissey on the southern edge of the Nuits-Saint-Georges appellation. The south-facing vineyard rises to over 240 metres and is characterised by sandy and clay-rich soils.

This vineyard monopole was leased to Maison Joseph Faiveley until the end of 2003 – after which it revertedto Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier. The Faiveley era of the Clos de la Maréchale thus encompasses the vintages up to 2003, with the 1985 vintage considered one of the most outstanding examples of this period.

2. 1985 vintage

The 1985vintage is regarded as a turning point in Burgundian wine history. Clive Coates MW describes it as a vintage that marked the transition from purely commercial distribution to the estates marketing their own wines – since then, more and more domaines have begun to bottle and market their wines themselves.

For Burgundy ,1985 was an exceptionally ripe and warm vintage, which produced fully ripe, concentrated wines with soft tannins. The grapes achieved perfect phenolic ripeness, which gave the wines exceptional drinkability whilst also offering enormous ageing potential.

3. Tasting notes and aroma profile

The tasting impressions of this almost 40-year-old wine are surprisingly positive – many tasters emphasise its impressive vitality.

Professional reviews:

• Robert Parker (91 points): “On the acidic side, with fresh acidity driving the redcurrant and cherry aromas. The oak seems somewhat dominant at the moment, but the texture is supple and achieves a delicate balance on the finish. Shows good length.”

• Wine Spectator (92 points): “A spicy, fresh and mildly exotic nose of tea, wild red berries and plenty of spicy earth, giving way to mineral-driven aromas with firm structure. For all its power, this is essentially a wine of finesse, as the supporting tannins are truly very fine.”

Community tastings (CellarTracker):

• Rezy13 (January 2023) – Clos de la Maréchale Vertical: “Good colour, carmine red with a rusty rim. On the nose, dark and red cherries, truffles, earth. Still so well-balanced, juicy, with total solids; timeless and delicious.”

• Teaky (March 2020): “Initially a spicy nose of earth, mushrooms and mild red cherries and strawberries. Still plenty of fruit on the palate – red fruit with herbal and tobacco notes reminiscent of Bordeaux. Lovely acidity, no tannins left – this wine is incredibly pleasant to drink.”

• Burgnick (March 2019 – 92 points): “The best Clos de la Maréchale among the vintages 79, 85, 88 and 93. The Faiveley oak is well integrated. Very lovely structure with cedar, dark redcurrant, iron and earth, with bright acidity. A classic Burgundy. Drinking at its peak.”

• FYC (May 2016): “An outstanding example of the charm of the old Faiveley style. Pleasantly matured, but more like a young adult than an old wine. A wonderful nose of cherry, earth, black olives and a hint of bacon fat. Well-integrated, but still with firm, though not harsh, tannins and structure. Is only just entering its drinking window.”

4. Technical details

Special feature: Until 2003, the Clos de la Maréchale was a Faiveley exclusive – this wine dates from a time when Faiveley was the sole producer of wine from this prestigious vineyard.

5. Reviews at a glance

6. Drinking maturity and current condition

Opinions on the optimal drinking window vary – a sign of age-related bottle variation in this almost 40-year-old wine:

• Tastingbook recommends a drinking window of2020–2035

• One taster (FYC) noted in 2016 that the wine was “only just entering its drinking window”

• Another (Capitolhack), however, described it in 2015 as “past its peak” – with the important note: “taste before buying”

Variation between bottles is considerable in wines of this age: fill levels (between 2.5 and 4 cm below the cork), corks and storage conditions play a decisive role. Some bottles show signs of seepage (wine seeping through the cork), which can affect the quality.

7. Price and availability

Due to its age and limited availability, the wine is now only availableat auction or from specialist retailers:

Prices vary significantly depending on the fill level, the condition of the label (often damaged or soiled) and the general condition of the bottle.

8. Summary

The Faiveley Nuits-Saint-Georges 1er Cru ‘Clos de la Maréchale’ 1985 is a classic Burgundy from a legendary era – the last vintage before the turning point in Burgundian wine marketing and a product of the era when Faiveley still held the monopoly over this prestigious Premier Cru vineyard.

The ratings (91–96 points) paint a picture of a complex, mature Pinot Noir which, when well-stored , can remain fruit-driven, balanced and lively even after almost 40 years – with aromas of cherry, truffle, earth, black olives and subtle spicy notes. The wine displays a remarkable acidity profile and, for many bottles, has reached or is still within its drinking window.

However , the significant variation between bottles is a cause for concern: due to its age, varying fill levels and storage conditions, the quality can vary considerably from bottle to bottle. Buyers should therefore pay close attention to the wine’s provenance and the condition of the individual bottle. For lovers of classic Burgundies and collectors of old Faiveley wines, the 1985 Clos de la Maréchale remains a fascinating and sought-after piece of Burgundian wine history.