Faiveley
Les Ouvrées Rodin Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru
2016
Vintage
Varietal
Pinot Noir
ABV
Where it is, June 2026
At Peak: in the heart of its drinking window (2019-2039).
In 2026, the Faiveley Les Ouvrées Rodin Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru 2016 is at peak in the early-to-mid stage of its drinking window, which extends to 2039 and leaves 13 years of prime pleasure ahead. At year seven of its arc, this wine carries the signature of the frost-affected 2016 Cote de Nuits harvest, showing the complex, structured character that the dramatically reduced yields of that season produced across the greatest appellations. The April 2016 frost that eliminated 50 to 80 percent of bud break growth in much of Gevrey-Chambertin concentrated the Chambertin-Clos de Beze fruit into berries of unusual intensity, and Faiveley's single-parcel Les Ouvrées Rodin selection amplified this further by drawing from a specific holding measured in the ancient Burgundian unit of ouvrées, a parcel-level selection that produces dramatically lower yields than broader estate bottlings even in unaffected vintages. In 2026, the wine shows the powerful, structured character documented at release, with firm but fine tannins continuing to integrate and the remarkable minerality on the finish becoming more prominent as the primary dark fruit complexity evolves. The wine's complexity distinguishes it from a regional or village bottling: this is a single-terroir expression of what the 2016 frost year produced in one of Burgundy's two most important Grand Crus.
The ‘16 Les Ouvrées Rodin Chambertin-Clos de Bèze Grand Cru.
A single-parcel prestige selection from the frost-reduced 2016 Clos de Beze harvest: Faiveley's Les Ouvrees Rodin shows complex dark cherry, dried roses, and remarkable mineral power at its 2026 peak, with 13 years of prime drinking remaining.
Drinking window
Tasting note
The 2016 Faiveley Les Ouvrées Rodin Chambertin-Clos de Beze Grand Cru presents in 2026 as a wine of considerable complexity and structured depth, the concentrated character of the frost-affected harvest expressed through the Chambertin-Clos de Beze terroir's inherent power and amplified by the Les Ouvrées Rodin parcel selection's particularly low yields. The nose opens with complex dark cherry and a distinctive dimension of dried roses, the floral aromatic character that Clos de Beze consistently produces alongside its deeper earthy and spice dimensions, now evolved into a more integrated and tertiary expression after seven years of bottle development. Earthy spice adds complexity and depth to the aromatic profile, the dark cherry and floral dimensions framing a mineral core that is increasingly prominent in 2026 as the wine moves through the early-to-mid stage of its peak arc. On the palate the wine is powerful, with the firm but fine tannins the DB note identifies as one of the 2016's characteristic qualities providing a structural backbone of precision rather than roughness, the frost year's reduced yields having produced tannins of exceptional fineness despite their firmness. The remarkable minerality noted on the long finish extends with precision and clarity, identifying the Chambertin-Clos de Beze terroir's characteristic combination of limestone bedrock and clay-limestone topsoil with a specificity that distinguishes this single-parcel wine from even outstanding village or regional Burgundy.
The 2016 vintage
The 2016 Gevrey-Chambertin and Chambertin Grand Cru harvests were shaped above all by the April 27, 2016 frost that dropped temperatures to approximately minus seven degrees Celsius and eliminated 50 to 80 percent of bud break growth across many of the Cote de Nuits' most celebrated appellations. For Chambertin-Clos de Beze, which sits on the Gevrey-Chambertin hillside's most prized slope, the surviving fruit developed through a warm and dry summer recovery with dramatically reduced canopy stress, concentrating into berries of exceptional phenolic maturity and mineral intensity by the September harvest. The 2016 wines from Chambertin-Clos de Beze are consequently among the most structured and mineral of any recent vintage, with the combination of frost concentration, warm summer recovery, and the Grand Cru's limestone-dominated terroir producing wines of extraordinary longevity. The vintage stands in contrast to the opulent 2015 and the generous 2019; where those years rewarded immediate pleasure, 2016 rewards patience.
About Faiveley
Faiveley is one of Burgundy's great négociant-domaine houses, headquartered in Nuits-Saint-Georges and holding one of the most extensive Grand Cru portfolios in the region, with significant parcels across Chambertin-Clos de Beze, Corton, and the Cote de Nuits. The estate has been in the Faiveley family since 1825, and is currently directed by Erwan Faiveley, who assumed leadership following his father François and has focused the domaine's energy on single-parcel precision and terroir expression. The Les Ouvrées Rodin bottling represents this philosophy at its most concentrated: a selection named for the sculptor Auguste Rodin, whose work shares with the wine a quality of powerful, disciplined beauty, drawn from a precisely delineated parcel within the Chambertin-Clos de Beze holding and vinified to express the maximum specificity of its terroir.
From the cellar: pair with
Roasted Bresse chicken with morel mushrooms and vin jaune cream sauce
The wine's dark cherry, dried roses, and firm fine tannins are gracefully matched by the delicate richness of Bresse chicken; morels amplify the earthy spice dimension and the vin jaune cream bridges the wine's floral and mineral register.
Braised venison shoulder with wild juniper, bay leaf, and roasted parsnip
The power and structured tannins of the 2016 frost-year Clos de Beze find their natural counterpart in the deep gamey richness of braised venison; juniper amplifies the wine's mineral dimension and roasted parsnip provides earthy sweetness to complement the dark fruit.
Aged Epoisses washed-rind cheese with fig jam and walnut bread
The wine's complex dark cherry, dried roses, and remarkable mineral finish balance the pungent intensity of Epoisses; fig jam echoes the dark fruit dimension and walnuts provide a textural bridge to the firm tannin structure.
Service & cellaring
- Serving Temp
- 61-64F (16-18C)
- Decanting
- Decant 45 to 60 minutes before serving. At year seven of its peak arc with firm tannins still integrating, the 2016 Les Ouvrées Rodin benefits from meaningful aeration to reveal the complex dark cherry, dried roses, and mineral depth beneath the wine's structured exterior. Avoid very long decanting beyond 90 minutes, which may dissipate the delicate dried rose aromatic dimension.
- Cellar Storage
- 55F (13C), 60-70% humidity, bottle on its side.
The drinking window on this bottle is calculated with the Cellared Ageability Index (CAI) v1.0, a 10-factor model. Try the free drinking window calculator on any wine, or read when to drink wine for the practical signals.
More from Gevrey-Chambertin, Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
Frequently Asked
What makes the Les Ouvrees Rodin a special bottling from Faiveley?
The Les Ouvrées Rodin is Faiveley's prestige single-parcel selection from their Chambertin-Clos de Beze holding, named for the sculptor Auguste Rodin. An 'ouvrée' is an ancient Burgundian measurement of vineyard area (approximately 4.28 ares), and the name references the parcel-level precision of the selection. Producing dramatically lower yields than broader estate bottlings, this cuvee concentrates the Chambertin-Clos de Beze terroir's power into a wine of exceptional mineral depth, dark cherry complexity, and dried rose aromatics that distinguish it clearly from any regional Gevrey expression. See the [Burgundy region guide](/wines/region/burgundy) for more on Chambertin-Clos de Beze.
When is the best time to drink the 2016 Faiveley Les Ouvrees Rodin?
In 2026, the wine is at peak in its early-to-mid stage, with the drinking window extending to 2039. The 2016's firm tannins are still integrating, and the wine will reach its finest expression approximately 2029 to 2037. Opening now with 45 to 60 minutes of decanting reveals the complex dark cherry, dried roses, and remarkable minerality. However, additional cellaring from 2028 onward will allow the frost-year tannins to resolve more fully into the wine's mineral and aromatic depth.
How does the 2016 Les Ouvrees Rodin differ from Faiveley's 2014 bottling?
The 2014 Faiveley Les Ouvrées Rodin was produced in a cool, precise vintage that emphasized elegance and fine structure. The 2016 is more concentrated and mineral, the product of the April 2016 frost reducing Clos de Beze yields by 50 to 80 percent and concentrating the surviving fruit dramatically. The 2016 shows greater density, more prominent saline mineral character, and firmer tannins than the 2014, with a longer projected peak window to 2039 vs. the 2014's earlier peak arc.
Should I decant this wine?
Yes, 45 to 60 minutes before serving. The 2016 Les Ouvrées Rodin's firm but fine tannins require meaningful aeration to fully open into the complex dark cherry, dried roses, and mineral depth. Decanting also allows the wine's aromatic profile to evolve from its initial structured reserve toward the complex expression that distinguishes this single-parcel cuvee. Serve in a large Burgundy glass to maximize the aromatic development after decanting. See the [Pinot Noir varietal guide](/wines/varietal/pinot-noir) for decanting guidance across Burgundy.
How long can I still cellar this wine?
Through 2039 at the outer edge of the peak window, with hard decline around 2047. In 2026 with 13 years of peak drinking ahead, this wine is firmly in its prime and on the ascent within its peak arc. Optimal cellaring for maximum tannin resolution is through at least 2028, and the finest window for drinking is likely 2029 to 2037. Post-peak maturity begins after 2039 and the wine remains enjoyable through 2047 before hard decline.