Savigny-Lès-Beaune
1er Cru Les Lavières 2018
Balance and maturity are the two words that come to mind when Savigny’s vineyards are mentioned.
They are located three kilometres north of Beaune.
Origin
Savigny’s vineyards form a V-shape and are located at the meeting place of a valley and the plain, offering some of the most picturesque scenery in the Côte d’Or. These vineyards are of ancient lineage. For much of their history, they belonged to the domaine of the Dukes of Bourgogne, to neighbouring religious houses, or to the Knights of Malta. An imposing 14th century castle testifies to the appellation's aristocratic qualifications.
The discovery of Merovingian graves in this parcel gave it its name: "The Lavières". Indeed, these graves were covered with a typical Burgundian flat stone, the same used for the clos, called lava. The parcel is located in mid-slope.
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: predominantly limestone, very stony.
Orientation: South
Surface area under vine: 0.2426 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 51 hL/ha
Average age of the vines: 35 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 11 September 2018.
The grapes were sorted a first time in the vineyard and a second time on the sorting table when they arrived at the winery.
At the winery: the grapes were 50% destemmed and were gravity-fed into tanks. Maceration with 50% whole bunches of 23 days including 5 days of cold maceration (12°C). Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 5 punchings of the cap. Vinification without sulfur.
Ageing
Maturation: aged on the lees for 17 months with no racking using a proportion of 40% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time for very delicate oaking.
Bottling
Bottling: The wine was gently filtered before being bottled in April 2020.
Number of bottles: 1,638.
Vintage
2018, abundance and excellence
After a winter that was almost too mild, the vintage was notable for two contrasting periods. Spring was sunny and totally devoid of frost, despite some localized episodes of hail, which had major impact on certain plots on the Côte de Nuits, which were hit in June. Then the summer was dry and hot, blocking the ripening process in places. Picking began early, with exceptionally abundant fruit in tip-top condition, offering the potential for some very fine wines.
Ageing potential: from 7 to 10 years.
Tasting notes
The color is ruby red. The greedy nose exudes aromas of small red fruits such as raspberry and some spicy notes. On the palate, this gourmet and supple wine reveals a good length. A very digestible wine!
