Clos de l'Écu

Clos de l'Écu sits within the Beaune Premier Cru appellation on the Côte de Beaune. The vineyard covers 2.37 hectares and is defined by its original stone walls, which remain standing at roughly 3 meters high. The south-facing aspect maximizes sun exposure across the growing season, a characteristic that sets it apart from many neighboring Beaune premier crus. The entire parcel functions as a true clos, enclosed and distinct from surrounding vineyards.

• Located within Beaune Premier Cru AOP, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
• 2.37 hectares enclosed by walls approximately 3 meters high
• South-facing aspect delivers extended sun exposure
• Continental climate typical of the Côte de Beaune

The soils at Clos de l'Écu are striking in the context of Burgundy. Granite and gravel dominate, with minimal clay content, making the site far more free-draining than the limestone-dominated profiles common across the Côte de Beaune. Faiveley's winemaker has drawn a direct comparison to Côte-Rôtie in the northern Rhône, citing the combination of south-facing exposure and gravelly, well-draining soils as the shared characteristic. This geology contributes to the mineral and spice notes that appear alongside the fruit aromatics in the finished wine.

• Granite and gravel base with minimal clay content
• Highly free-draining, atypical for the Côte de Beaune
• Winemaker draws comparison to Côte-Rôtie terroir
• Mineral and spice character in the wine attributed to this soil profile

The clos has medieval origins. The walled enclosure served a practical purpose beyond viticulture: it allowed the owners to pay their dues to the Dukes of Burgundy, a common arrangement for enclosed vineyards in historic Burgundy. The property passed through several hands before Domaine Faiveley acquired it in 2003 from Jaboulet-Vercherre. Faiveley has held it as a monopole since that date. Vine plantings across the parcel span four different years, 1980, 1989, 1994, and 1998, giving a range of vine ages that adds complexity to the blended final wine.

• Medieval origins; walls enabled dues payment to the Dukes of Burgundy
• Purchased by Domaine Faiveley in 2003 from Jaboulet-Vercherre
• Faiveley holds the monopole on the entire 2.37-hectare parcel
• Vine blocks planted in 1980, 1989, 1994, and 1998

Clos de l'Écu produces medium-bodied Pinot Noir with notable concentration for a Beaune premier cru. Red and black fruit aromatics form the core, supported by spicy and mineral notes that reflect the granite and gravel soils. Young vintages show firm tannic structure that softens with bottle age. The south-facing exposure and free-draining soils produce a wine with more density than many Beaune premier crus, and the comparison to Côte-Rôtie in style terms, while uncommon for Burgundy, speaks to the site's distinctiveness.