Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Lavières” rouge 2019

The Pinot Noir comes from the Premier Cru site Les Lavières below Talmettes in Savigny-lès-Beaune. The municipality is located about three and a half kilometres northwest of Beaune and, with 383 hectares, has one of the most extensive vineyards in this region. The Premier Cru site Les Lavières is located in the direction of Pernand-Vergelesses. Domaine Chandon de Briailles owns 2.61 hectares at the heart of the 17.66-hectare vineyard, which is named after the lavesThe vineyard is named after the flat limestone boulders that were once used as roof tiles in Burgundy. The vines are around 50 years old and stand in a south-south-easterly orientation on soil consisting of a mixture of sandstone, sand and marl with ferruginous egg stone in the upper area and reddish-brown crumbly limestone in the lower area. Spontaneous fermentation took place in a wood cuve with 100 % whole grapes. It then went by gravity into barriques and tonneaux with a small amount of new wood. This was followed by around 14 months of ageing without further agitation or racking. Filling was done with minimal sulphur, mostly directly from the barrel.

medium cherry-red

It is impressive how much this Pinot Noir from the single vineyard Les Lavières from Savigny-lès-Beaune remains aromatically true to itself over the different vintages. In the 2019, one again clearly senses the aromas of plums, peonies and violets, with a little lavender thrown in. At this young stage, it even reminds one of a still young Brouilly with these violet floral notes, the fresh and juicy dark fruit, the yeast and the hint of iron. In any case, this is fun from the first moment and smells very inviting and appetising.

On the palate the Les Lavières juicy, silky and wonderfully spicy. The 2019 vintage seems almost like a blend of 2017 and 2018 here, offering lots of ripeness and a fruity-sweet touch, yet tart herbal notes and spices like liquorice. The tannin is fine and polished, a few raps provide grip, firmness and freshness, the acidity is lively, clear and mineral. In the silky finish, the spiciness of the wine is again clearly noticeable. It reminds of liquorice, leaves and a little of undergrowth and dark pepper.