Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
Although the Savigny Les Lavières is slightly reserved initially, it opens nicely with time. An attractive plum and wild strawberry fruit aroma with notes of earth, wild herbs, and smoke brings complexity. The grapes are from a parcel of 2.60 hectares planted in 1956; they are treated to a cold soak and then fermented entirely as whole clusters. The result is powerful and tannic, but without astringency; there is a grace and elegance that is very appealing.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This south-facing, early ripening site has delivered a rather rich 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières. It offers up aromas of cherries, raspberries, violets and licorice followed by a broad, fleshy, medium to full-bodied palate.
Range: 90-92 -
Wine Spectator
This needs aeration to dissipate the carbonic gas, and there’s vivid cherry and blackberry fruit throughout. Lively acidity and fine-grained tannins add support. Ends with a burst of berry fruit and violet notes. Best from 2026 through 2040.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”
Savigny-lès-Beaune is a small village near Beaune that produces delightful red and white wines under its own appellation name. Cut by a river, the vineyards on its southern side have sandy soils that result in charming, floral reds. Premiers Crus vineyards on this side include Les Peuillets, Les Narbantons, Les Rouvrettes and Les Marconnets.
On Savigny’s northern side, bordering Pernand-Vergelles, vineyards are planted on rocky soils and produce juicy and spicy Pinot Noir. The village’s best whites, all made of Chardonnay, are full on the palate and abound in texture, complexity and freshness.