2023 Faiveley La Combe Aux Moines Gevrey Chambertin 1er Cru, Burgundy

La Combe aux Moines sits high on the slope in Gevrey Chambertin, where cooler air and thinner soils tend to give wines with a bit more edge and definition. It often shows a firmer, more structured side of Gevrey, and Faiveley leans into that, keeping everything precise and tightly framed rather than pushing for early generosity.

The 2023 opens a little more restrained, but there’s plenty going on beneath the surface. Black cherry and dark raspberry lead, followed by violet, cracked spice and a subtle note of liquorice. It feels compact at first, then slowly stretches out, revealing layers of clove, dried herbs and a faint mineral, almost iron like note.

There’s a clear sense of structure here. Tannins are fine but assertive, giving the wine real backbone, while acidity cuts through and keeps everything focused. The fruit sits deeper in the frame, darker and more serious, with a finish that carries on with spice, earth and a stony grip.

This is a wine that rewards a bit of imagination at the table. Think slow braised lamb with rosemary and anchovy, or a venison pie with juniper and black pepper. It’s just as compelling with something like a black garlic and mushroom ragù, or roasted celeriac with miso and brown butter where the savoury depth really lines up with the wine’s structure.

Still very young and best with a good decant, it has the bones to age comfortably for fifteen years or more, gradually softening into something more layered and complex.