Domaine Felettig Nuits-Saint-Georges Vieilles Vignes 2023

88-91 BH

88-90 VM

Notes:

Felettig noted that this had only recently finished its malo and it showed as the nose was firmly reduced. The bigger and richer middle weight flavors do possess slightly better concentration as well as good power that carries over to the rustic, youthfully austere and balanced finish that needs to develop better depth. Burghound 88-91

Producer: Domaine Felettig is a family estate based in Chambolle-Musigny, founded by Henri Felettig and developed by the second generation, Gilbert and Christine Felettig. Gilbert’s daughter Pauline has since joined the domaine, bringing a third generation into the family operation. The property has grown to approximately 12.5 hectares, with holdings extending beyond Chambolle-Musigny into several Côte de Nuits appellations. Vineyard work is focused on limiting synthetic inputs and maintaining healthy soils; the domaine achieved certified organic status beginning with the 2024 vintage. In the cellar, the Felettigs favor gentle extraction, spontaneous fermentation without inoculated yeasts, gravity movement of the wines, and barrel maturation tailored to each appellation rather than applying a single élevage formula across the range. Their village wines generally receive less new oak than the Premier and Grand Crus.
Vineyard: This Vieilles Vignes bottling is assembled from two separate Nuits-Saint-Georges lieux-dits, giving it fruit from both sides of the appellation. Burghound identifies a 0.20-hectare parcel in Les Chaliots and a 0.11-hectare parcel in Aux Lavières, for approximately 0.31 hectare total. Les Chaliots lies on the southern side of Nuits-Saint-Georges, while Aux Lavières is situated to the north, so the finished wine combines material from two distinct sectors rather than a single contiguous vineyard. Nuits-Saint-Georges is characterized broadly by Jurassic limestone formations mixed with varying proportions of clay, marl, gravel, and slope wash, with meaningful geological differences from north to south. The 2023 growing season was generous in Burgundy, requiring careful control of yields and harvest timing. The Felettigs harvested at physiological maturity and carried out strict sorting before vinification, consistent with their established vineyard and cellar practices.
Winemaking: The 2023 is 100% Pinot Noir. After harvest and sorting, Felettig generally begins its reds with approximately six to seven days of cold pre-fermentation maceration, adjusted according to vintage and vineyard. Fermentation starts naturally without cultured-yeast inoculation and proceeds in temperature-controlled tanks, with daily remontage used for gentle extraction. For this specific 2023 Nuits-Saint-Georges, 20% whole clusters were retained, adding stems to a predominantly destemmed fermentation. After pneumatic pressing, the wine is transferred to barrel by gravity. Felettig generally matures its wines for 14–18 months, with village wines typically receiving around 30% new oak, although the domaine explicitly notes that this percentage is not fixed and is adjusted according to the wine. The 2023 underwent an unusually late malolactic fermentation, which had only recently finished when several critics tasted it during the 2024–25 Burgundy review period.
Technical Details: Nuits-Saint-Georges AOC; 2023 vintage; 100% Pinot Noir; Vieilles Vignes; fruit from Les Chaliots and Aux Lavières; approximately 0.20 hectare in Les Chaliots plus 0.11 hectare in Aux Lavières; hand harvested; strict fruit sorting; approximately six to seven days of cold pre-fermentation maceration as part of the domaine’s standard red-wine protocol; spontaneous fermentation without cultured yeasts; temperature-controlled fermentation; daily remontage; 20% whole cluster for the 2023; pneumatic pressing; gravity transfer to barrel; approximately 14–18 months of élevage depending on final maturation; village wines generally receive approximately 30% new French oak, adjusted according to cuvée; late malolactic fermentation in 2023; 13.5% ABV; 750ml bottle.
Food Pairing: Duck breast, roast squab, beef tenderloin, côte de boeuf, veal chops, pork tenderloin, roast guinea fowl, coq au vin, beef bourguignon, grilled lamb chops, mushroom tart, lentils with sausage, Époisses, Comté, and aged Gruyère. The structure of Nuits-Saint-Georges makes roasted and grilled meats natural choices, while the Pinot Noir acidity works particularly well with poultry, mushrooms, and traditional Burgundian dishes.