Faiveley 2021 Mercurey Rouge VV   

This Vieilles Vignes red is sort of a Reserve-level wine with not only the oldest vines but also the best exposures combined to make a more nuanced, complex wine with Mercurey’s textbook depth, spiciness and concentration on display. Not as austere and edgy as the Faiveley Mercureys of years past, the recently-arrived 2021 is the best example of this wine we’ve ever tasted- an aromatic, exceedingly charming Pinot Noir with all of the florality, muscularity, gentle rusticity and great fruit you could ask from the appellation. The VV gets a touch more wood than the regular Mercurey and it adds a whisp of vanilla and extra texture to the deeply rendered dark, dusky fruit, lifted purple violet, raspberry pastille and cinnamon aromas, spicy, mineral finish and extra flash of black silk on the end. We love Burgundies with these qualities. It makes them food-friendly as well as swoon-worthy drinks all on their own. Use big stems and watch how this gorgeous red develops in the glass as you enjoy it with braised beef, wild mushrooms, richer poultry and duck dishes or a nice ripe Epoisse! Still a fine value, you’ll be happy to open this tonight as well as in ten years. 

#6 PRIMA's '24 for 24' Best Wines Of The Year 2023