Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: In my youth, I enjoyed Savigny-les-Beaune has my value red Burgundy. Over the years, not much has changed. The appellation continues to over-deliver. Recently, I have discovered the white wines from this appellation, and they are quite impressive. The 2016 Domaine Julien Gros Savigny-les-Beaune Clos du Village Monopole is a rewarding wine. TASTING NOTES: This wine is generous, balanced, and attractive. Its aromas and flavors of ripe fruit, peach skin, oak, and savory spices are spot-on. Pair it with an oven roast chicken and a side of salad greens. (Tasted: May 9, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
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.