Domaine Simon Bize
Savigny-Les-Beaune, Burgundy

Domaine Bize can't seem to put a foot wrong these days. New winemaker, Eric Pignal previously worked at Roulot, Dujac, L'Arlot and Littori! That's an impressive CV! Chisa Bize is a force to be reckoned with and is making improvements in the vineyards and forging ahead with "Bizedynamics" as she calls her rigorous "Japanese / Burgundian" fastidious organic approach. These 2021's are fine examples of the classic old-vine, whole bunch style that Bize are so famous for.
Cheers, Randall

What is remarkable about Domaine Simon Bize is that each of its wines clearly expresses its individual personality as well as the ‘house style’, without one masking the other. It is a little-known fact, but this domaine has some of the oldest vines and the highest average vine age in all of Burgundy. There are few domaines that could boast a Bourgogne Rouge made from vines planted in 1963, 1971, and 1980; or a 1er Cru Vergelesses made from vines planted by his forbears from the ‘30s to 60s with the youngest planted in 1978! Chisa's winemaking philosophy is based on the principle that yield is of the utmost importance and should never exceed 40 hectoliters per hectare (a personally imposed restriction, given that the legal limits set by the French government are significantly higher). She believes in harvesting ‘perfect’ fruit, and does whatever is required to accomplish this, even if it involves a degree of risk that most winemakers are not comfortable with.

"Chisa Bize briefly noted that total volume for the 2021 vintage was off fully 80% due to the frost.... She did however confirm that despite the much lower quantities, the reds were still vinified with 100% whole clusters. I was impressed with what I found here and particularly with the two Savigny villages wines." Allen Meadows, Burghound

These wines are expected early November, order pre-arrival now as they are limited!

"Aromas of apple, pear and citrus zest... There is excellent density to the delicious and vibrant middleweight flavors that conclude in a clean, very dry and citrusy finish. This is forward enough to enjoy young but should also repay a few years of keeping. 86-89pts" - Allen Meadows, Burghound "Aromas of pear, freshly baked bread, nutmeg and light reduction introduce the 2021 Savigny-lès-Beaune Blanc, a medium-bodied, fleshy and satiny wine underpinned by tangy acids and exhibiting a vibrant but textural profile. 89pts" - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

This is a single site Bourgogne level wine from a very well respected and elevated site looking down on the village of Savigny les-Beaune itself. The vines here were planted in 1963, 1971, and 1980. The word ‘perrieres’, a common vineyard name, refers to the limestone-rich stones and rocks that populate the soil. I remember showing the 2009 at a tasting seminar (organised by me, and presented by Nick Stock and Jasper Morris MW), and the comments from Jasper that were echoed in the room, were that it was equal to a “villages” wine, and this particular wine, year in - year out, drank like a level higher. This site and the domaine always make a deep red burgundy that always ages well. - Randall
"The 2021 Bourgogne Les Perrières reveals aromas of orange zest, plums and peonies, followed by a medium-bodied, supple and melting palate that's one of the more delicate in the range. 86-88 pts" - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

Largely from a site called Bourgeots, a 3.9ha plot planted in ’65 and ’78, next to the River Rhoin between the towns of Savigny and Beaune, a humid site that makes supple, lacey fairly round wines that are full of character. "A discreet application of wood sets off the super-fresh nose of various red berries and soft earth. I very much like the texture of the sleek and beautifully defined middleweight flavors that possess very solid concentration before concluding in an unusually good long and complex finale. This is particularly good for its level. 89-91 pts. Outstanding!" - Allen Meadows, Burghound
"Bursting with aromas of red berries, plums, peonies, spices and marmalade, the 2021 Savigny-lès-Beaune Village is medium-bodied, fleshy and perfumed, with good depth at the core and a mouthwatering finish. 88-90 pts" - William Kelley, The Wine Adovocate

"The Savigny Aux Grands Liards delivers much more than you might expect from a village wine. The vines were planted between 1939 and 1979 on brown pebbly soil, providing a full-bodied Savigny which avoids the rustic elements of lesser versions" - Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
"The 2021 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Grands Liards opens in the glass with aromas of smoky blackberries, red berries, spices and soil, followed by a medium to full-bodied, fleshy and textural palate that's rich, concentrated and sapid, reflecting the habitual profile of this reliably broad-shouldered, age-worthy cuvée. 89-91 pts" - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
"A whiff of herbal tea sits in the background of the otherwise similar nose while the medium weight flavors also possess a really lovely, even succulent, texture while displaying fine delineation on the youthfully austere and mildly rustic finale that delivers the same fine depth and persistence. This is also very good for its level and worth considering. 89-91pts. Outstanding" - Allen Meadows, Burghound

This vineyard sits below the hill of Corton. Le Suchot, which roughly translates to “the little mound”, faces the Château of Corton. The terroir highlights the richness and strength of the wine but also its finesse and generosity. Well suited for cellaring, this wine conveys the soul of Savigny-les-Beaune.
"What a stunning and darkly beautiful village wine from an appellation unjustly overlooked: a bosky nose, redolent of briar, hazel, pine-needles and enriched by aromas of blackcurrant and forest floor, marks the elegant yet brooding nature of this wine. There is a stunning purity to the fruit; dark black cherry, boysenberry, and hints of bramble, which dominates the palate, and is backgrounded by further sous-bois and sweet loam. There is a wreath of rose-hip and black tea around the close, with firm but supple tannins in structural support. This is a gorgeous wildcard from a dark-horse appellation, that sidesteps allegations of rusticity. Not to be overlooked." - Randall

"Blending Fournaux, Talmettes and Marconnets, Bize's 2021 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru offers up aromas of raspberries, plums, sweet spices, petals and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered, it's concentrated and indeed rather taut and introverted right now, but I suspect it will flesh out by the time of bottling. 90-93pts" - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate

`This site, just below the Bois de Noël (‘Forest of Christmas’) and on the border of Pernand-Vergelesses, is the top 1er Cru of Savigny, and one that looks like a Grand Cru in its elevation, gradient and it beautiful SE exposition. It is one of the great Burgundy sites that directly abuts the forest (i.e. no 1er Cru or villages “step-down”) on the upper side (Musigny, Chambertin, Corton and Latricèires are similar in this regard). The younger plots within the Bize holding were planted by the late Patrick Bize in the late 70’s, such is the formidable average age of these old vines.
"The 2021 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Aux Vergelesses unwinds in the glass with aromas of plums, red berries, sweet spices and orange rind. Medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, it's thick and textural, with melting tannins and an orange-inflected finish. 91-94 pts" - William Kelley, The Wine Advocate
"A cooler, airy and perfumed nose freely offers up aromas of the essence of red pinot fruit, newly turned earth and a pretty array of floral elements. The medium weight, focused and relatively powerful flavors possess an positively gorgeous texture while delivering excellent depth on the more persistent and better-balanced finale. This is lovely though as is usually the case, a wine that is going to require extended keeping. 90-93pts. Outstanding" - Allen Meadows, Burghound