Dom. Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Grand Cru Monopole 2021

The "Monopole Masterpiece" – A Rare and Structural Icon

In March 2026, the 2021 Clos des Cortons Faiveley is a bottle of immense historical and viticultural significance. This 2.77-hectare vineyard is a Monopole (wholly owned by the Faiveley family since 1874) and is one of only two Grand Crus in Burgundy permitted to carry the owner's name—the other being the legendary Romanée-Conti.

The 2021 vintage in the Côte de Beaune was "classical and challenging." Devastating spring frosts followed by a cool, wet summer resulted in extremely low yields—in some plots, losses reached 70-80%. However, the fruit that survived produced wines of vivid acidity, moderate alcohol, and "crunchy" red fruit that harkens back to the great Burgundies of the 1980s and 90s.

🍷 Tasting Notes (2026 Perspective)

Currently, this wine is a "sleeping giant." It is showing incredible aromatic detail but remains tightly coiled and structural on the palate.

• The Nose: Precise and Floral. It opens with a "shimmering" array of redcurrant, pomegranate, and wild strawberry. As it breathes, sophisticated layers of rose petals, orange zest, and forest floor emerge, underpinned by a distinct mineral "smoke" from the ferruginous oolite soils.

• The Palate: Vertical and Muscular. The entry is lean but intense. You’ll find a core of dark cherry and spice, framed by firm, grainy tannins and a "racy" acidity that is a hallmark of the 2021 vintage. It feels "athletic" rather than heavy, with a focused mid-palate richness.

• The Finish: Persistent and Saline. It concludes with a long, tapering finish of cranberry and white pepper, leaving a clean, stony mineral impression that lingers for minutes.

📋 Technical Snapshot

Pro Tip

The 2021 Clos des Cortons is a wine built for the cellar. Unlike the "solar" 2019, which is already approachable, the 2021 requires patience to allow its high acidity and firm tannins to knit together.

The Serving Tip: If you must open a bottle in 2026, decant for 2–3 hours at a cool 14°C–16°C. Use large Burgundy glasses to help the "pointed" nose of clove and white pepper expand.

The Pairing:

• The "Grand Cru" Match: Its muscular structure is a perfect foil for Seared Foie Gras with Armagnac or Roasted Quail with truffles.

• The Cheese Board: Pair with Mature Comté or Reblochon. The wine’s mineral core cuts through the creaminess of the cheese brilliantly.

• Finnish Twist: A spectacular match for Roasted Pheasant (Fasaani) or Sautéed Elk (Hirvikäristys) with lingonberries. The wine's tart red fruit notes (cranberry/lingonberry) mirror the classic Finnish accompaniments.