Domaine Simon Bize et Fils, Aux Vergelesses 1er Cru, Savigny-lès-Beaune, France, 2017

Overview of the Wine
The winery’s history begins in 1880 in Savigny-lès-Beaune. Since then many generations have followed, each contributing its own developments and knowledge to establish Domaine Bize as it is today. Domaine Simon Bize was under the direction of Patrick Bize for 20 years or so. Sadly, during the harvest of 2013 Patrick unexpectedly passed away, at age 60. The future of this estate is somewhat unknown, but once you meet his wife, Chisa Bize, you know that the estate is the good hands. She has long been quietly involved with Patrick along the way, encouraging him the direction of organic and biodynamic farming, principals that have been quietly applied to the estate for years. Also, Nicolas Gordo, Patrick’s long-time winemaker, has been overseeing the cellar work for many years and while the wines of the domaine will no longer have Patrick’s finishing touch, they were left in very capable hands. So far, what we’ve seen coming could even, dare I say, eclipse what has been achieved in the past.

Savigny-les-Beaune, one of Burgundy’s most overlooked appellations, is one of our favorites. It’s not because it has the best or most famous vineyards, it’s because there are great vineyards and some very special producers that make wine from this village, like four producers that we work with: The resident producers Simon Bize and Jean-Marc & Hughues Pavelot, and the outsiders Nico Rossignol, from Volnay, and Bruno Clair, from Gevrey-Chambertin and Marsannay.

Grape / Blend
Pinot Noir

Origin
Savigny-lès-Beaune, Burgundy, France

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
The pinot noir expresses itself well in this this traditionally chardonnay-based vineyard, drawing energy, minerality and richness from the highly particular soil.
The wines are complex, expressive, energetic on the palate and wonderfully aromatic – they are well suited and well deserving of an aging period of several years.

93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 
The 2017 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Vergelesses was 20% destemmed this year as Chisa Bize struggled to fit all the grapes in the fermentation tank. Offering up aromas of sweet berry fruit plums rose petals and spices it's medium to full-bodied ample and satiny with a fleshy mid-palate and attractive balance. I suspect this year's Guettes has the edge but the Vergelesses is certainly one of the highlights of the range.

92 Points - Vinous
The 2017 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Vergelesses 1er Cru was somewhat muted on the nose compared to other Premier Crus from Bize. It didn’t want to come out and play on the day of my visit! The palate is medium-bodied and demonstrates good intensity perhaps the most structure and grip of the range and lovely raspberry and light spicy notes toward the finish. Give this three or four years to allow the aromatics to open.

Product size: 750ml