Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Lavières” rouge 2018

Wine description for Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Lavières” rouge 2018 by Chandon de Briailles

Colour & Appearance

A clear, medium cherry red pours into the glass.

Nose

The bouquet is ripe, intense and characterised by a floral elegance. It immediately evokes peonies and violets. Behind this, a basket full of red and dark berries opens up – some freshly picked, others gently stewed. Nuances of sweet cherries, tart Morello cherry and juicy blood orange marry with the warm notes of fresh yeast dough and damp forest floor.

Palate

On the palate, this Premier Cru is wonderfully juicy, soft and with a silky texture. The warm 2018 vintage gives it noticeably more richness and power than its predecessor. The tannin structure is ripe and polished, while the use of whole bunches contributes a cool, structuring freshness. The acidity runs clear and straight through the mouth. On the palate, crunchy wild berries dominate, above all juicy blueberries.

Finish

The finish is long and gripping. It bids farewell with a fine, animating salinity and a delicate, peppery echo. An earthy, powerful Savigny full of energy.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes thrive in the 17.66-hectare Premier Cru site Les Lavières in Savigny-lès-Beaune. The Domaine owns 2.61 hectares here in the best core section. The name goes back to the flat limestone slabs (Laves). The approximately 50-year-old vines face south-southeast on complex soils of sandstone, sand and marl, interspersed with ferruginous oolite in the upper part and reddish-brown limestone in the lower part.

Grape Variety & Vinification

This single-varietal Pinot Noir was spontaneously fermented in wooden vats with a high proportion of whole bunches. Ageing took place over 14 months by gravity in barriques and tonneaux with a minimal proportion of new oak, without racking or movement. It was bottled with minimal sulphur directly from the cask. The estate works strictly biodynamically and is Demeter-certified.

Food Pairings

Excellent with sliced venison liver with caramelised apple, delicate ravioli filled with pheasant in Sauce Choron or, as a vegetarian option, oven-baked potatoes with porcini mushrooms, au gratin with Gruyère.

Special Features

This wine combines the magnificent, biodynamic craftsmanship of Chandon de Briailles with the pure identity of the soil. The vineyards are worked entirely with horses. Sensorially, it captivates with its masculine, earthy energy, which, despite the power of the warm vintage, retains a fascinating freshness and fine stem spice.