At a glance

Producer

Domaine Nicolas Faure

Region

Burgundy, France (Côte de Beaune, Aloxe-Corton AOC)

Grape variety

Pinot Noir

Wine type

Red

Body

Medium-bodied and Earthy

Sweetness

Dry

Typical price

$200–$350 (current fine wine retail range)

Tasting profile

Primary red/black cherry, cranberry, wild raspberry, bright florality, savory mineral edge, currently marked by oak and some stem influence (Nicolas Faure ferments whole cluster).

Evolution: Fruit deepening, earthy mineral core intensifies, high-toned florals develop, wild herb and sous-bois as it approaches peak.

At peak: Complex layering of forest floor, spice, rose petal, iron-tinged minerality, with silky yet energetic tannins and long finesse-driven finish.

Structure

Acidity

Medium+; energetic and sustaining long-term aging

Tannins

Medium+ to high; refined but firm due to Aloxe-Corton terroir and Nicolas Faure's low-intervention style

Alcohol

12.5–13.0% ABV (typical for Burgundy 2022)

Aging potential

Very high—20-30+ years possible with proper cellaring

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2035 to 2040

Optimal window

2028 to 2045

Current status

Very young, structured, requiring patience

Current condition

Tightly wound, youthful, with high potential—needs cellar time

Aloxe-Corton from a serious grower like Nicolas Faure combines structure, vibrant acidity, and tension; this, plus the outstanding 2022 vintage and extremely careful, artisanal winemaking, means slower evolution and much longer peak compared to generic Burgundy. Burgundy experts and reference critics alike project 20–30 years for top Aloxe-Corton, and low yields/whole-cluster regime here further enhance longevity.

Food pairing

Game birds (partridge, duck, squab), roast lamb, mushroom risotto, aged Gruyère, roast chicken with morel sauce, earthy vegetable dishes (e.g., beets, root vegetables). Avoid highly spiced or very fatty pairings in youth.

Serving

Serving temperature

16°C / 61°F

Decant

Yes (1.5–2 hours (youthful wines, up to 2028)) — Needs ample air to unfurl primary fruit, tame the youthful structure, and reveal aromatics—be gentle to avoid stripping delicate nuance.

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Ploughing by horse, no herbicides or pesticides, hand harvesting, minimal SO2, emphasis on biodiversity, natural cover crops, very low yields, gravity-flow cellar, minimal intervention

Nicolas Faure has a boutique, micro-negociant estate with strong reputation for true low-intervention, near-biodynamic practices. No chemical input, extremely low mechanization, horse farming, cellar energy use minimized by natural gravity flow. Packaging is minimalistic and sustainable. Absence of formal certification is offset by strong evidence from trade and peers of high ethical and environmental standards; extremely high sustainability by global fine wine standards.