What I Learned

The Burgundian wine region known as the Cote d’Or has a northern section and a southern section. Cote de Beaune is the name of the southern section.  This part of the Cote d’Or famously produces some of the most esteemed white wines in the world, in addition to some very good red wines, which is the reverse of the northern section known as the Cotes de Nuits.

The Cote de Beaune is generally speaking more famous for its white wines, such as those from the crus in Meursault, or Puligny-Montrachet or Chassagne-Montrachet. However, Savigny-les-Beaune is known primarily for its red wines. Like Pommard, a bit further south in the same district, and also well-known for its reds, Savigny lies at the mouth of a transversal valley. This type of valley, formed by the Rhoin River in Savigny, crosses a crestline, the Cote d’Or, at right angles. Hence in Savigny, this means a narrow, fairly protected valley with steep sides, with west- and south-facing vineyards, ideal for vines.

While there are no Grand Cru in Savigny, there are just over 20 Premier Cru, perhaps the most well-known being Aux Vergelesses, at the border of the neighboring town Pernand-Vergelesses. The village has its own Village Appellation, Savigny-les-Beaune Controlee, as well as its Premier Cru Appellations, for both red and white wines.

The Pinot Noir wines of Savigny-les-Beaune have good aging potential. (In fact, one bottle I had purchased then stored, I only got around to drinking 11 years later, and found it soft, and rich in flavors and mouthfeel.) In any event, the wines in Savigny are good, representative Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines, with as good a price-to-quality ratio as a wine lover is likely to find anywhere along the Cote d’Or.

 

What I Tasted

2014 Pinot Noir, Aux Grands Liards, Appellation Savigny-les-Beaune Controlee, Domaine Giboulot (Savigny): A dry red wine with medium red brick color; a floral and peppery spice nose, with forward flavors of vanilla, oak and red cherry flavors; medium tannins.

2008 Pinot Noir, Savigny-les-Beaune, Appellation Savigny-les-Beaune Controlee, Domaine Andre Morey: A dry red wine with medium plus brick red color; a nose of spice and light tobacco; flavors of vanilla, slight fruit, and a hint of herbaceousness; medium tannins. (Consumed in 2019!)

2007 Pinot Noir, Savigny-les-Beaune, Appellation Savigny-les-Beaune Controlee, Domaine du Chateau de Meursault: A dry red wine with light medium ruby red color; slight red berry and spice nose, with flavors of the same; medium plus tannins.

2006 Pinot Noir, Aux Clous, Appellation Savigny-les Beaune Premier Cru Controlee, Pierre Andre: A dry red wine with medium plus ruby red color; spice, red berry and wood nose, with stewed red berries and spice flavors; high minus tannins.