Vintages

2017

There is no such thing as a boring year in the Cote. The weather began similarly to that of 2016 with a precocious spring and a sudden drop in temperature on the exact same day as the year before!
Luckily, there are some measures we can take against such uncertainty.
The winemakers of Savigny banded together and organized to protect the crop. Stacks of hay were distributed throughout the commune’s vineyards in strategically chosen locations. Well before the sunrise, when the thermometers plunged, the troops set alight the haystacks to create a cloud of smoke which protected the vines from the damaging first rays of sunlight.
This collective defense continued over the course of several nights. Though tiring, it proved effective: throughout the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits the collective efforts of many villages saved the harvest.
Another historic year!

The vines, protected from the spring frosts, bore harmonious and healthy grapes. The beautiful crop brought smiles to the entire team.

The year continued with fantastic growing conditions, lots of sunlight and little disease pressure. Several periodic heat waves brought slight hydric pressure but mid-august rains allowed the grapes to regain their balance, leading to a happy harvest!
A return to normalcy was greatly appreciated at the Domain, given that a traditional harvest hadn’t occurred since 2009. Perhaps this marks the beginning of a new cycle?

The white wines offer beautiful balance and distinct character. The red wines are blessed with minerality and great structural length on the palate. The wines reflect the vintage: Sunny, energetic, and optimistic.

Beginning of harvest: 28 August 2017

2016

We thought we would never relive a year like 2013, however…
After a precocious spring the vines began producing their first buds. A sudden drop in temperature on the morning of April 27th meant that nearly all the vineyards of Savigny-les-Beaune were ravaged by frost. Black frost affected almost the entirety of the Cote de Beaune.
80% of the Domain was affected. The Burgundy level wines, 1er crus Talmettes, Serpentières, Guettes and the Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne were not produced this year. Only Latricières-Chambertin were spared.
The damage caused by the frost had us asking “will the grapes ripen this year?”
The vines did eventually sprout new buds a month and a half after the initial damages. The new crop reached sufficient alcoholic maturity thanks to its healthy and vigorous grapes.

The 2016 wines are characterized by beautiful notes of red fruit. Fresh, light and airy, this vintage is blessed with an elegant verticality.
A vintage of rare and seductive wine.

Beginning of harvest: 21st of September 2016

2015

Spring started early, but the July heat and the lack of water slowed down the vines’ growth. The rains in August encouraged excellent grape maturity.
Harvest unfolded with optimum conditions, grapes that were magnificently ripe and concentrated, and a great team of harvesters. Yields were 20-30% lower than expected due to thick and hardened grape skins from the dry weather.
The higher degree of alcohol takes nothing away from the quality of the acidity; a present balance accompanied by a solid backbone and structure in both the reds and the whites.

Start of harvest: August 30 (whites), September 2 (reds)

2014

After a painful year, our vines surprisingly rediscovered their strength, as did our team.
The springtime was very dry with a constant northern wind, which hampered the beginning of the growth cycle for the Chardonnay vines. The hail that fell in June reminded us of the nightmare of 2013, but luckily the damage was limited and only les Marconnets and a part of Les Bourgeots were hit.
Harvest lasted almost two weeks and we enjoyed excellent weather conditions. The whites are exceptional in their minerality, marked by a particular umami taste in the layers of fruit. The reds are light as air, with a beautiful structure.
Start of harvest: September 11

2013

This was an ‘apocalyptic’ year for Savigny and our domaine.
The season began with a lot of rain. On May 3rd, half of the lower part of the village was flooded. Up until then, the growth cycle and fruit set had unfolded fairly well. On July 23rd, large storm clouds poured hail onto the village, and almost all of the vines in Savigny were destroyed.
Despite it all, on October 2nd we began to harvest the few precious grapes remaining in the parcels of our Vergelesses Blanc.
The wines from 2013 are supple with honest fruit. Unusually for us, nearly all of our cuvées were de-stemmed this year. Only les Guettes, les Marconnets, les Serpentières, and Latricière-Chambertin were fermented with whole clusters, as these parcels were not as damaged by the hail.
Start of harvest: October 2

2012

Even after 40 years of experience in winemaking, Patrick Bize had never seen a year like 2012. After a mild winter, two weeks of very cold temperatures (-15°C) arrived in early February.
After an early budding, gel, hail, and vine disease (both odium and powdery mildew) already determined an extremely small harvest size of up to -70%. Two weeks of good weather in September saved the harvest.

The very concentrated berries (with little juice and thick skins) made for miraculous wines.
Date de début de Harvest begins September 24

2011

Spring came early, April was summer-like and flowering occurred at the end of May. Summer suffered from a lack of sunshine and was rather rainy up until the end of August, when the sun came back in full force.
Quantities in white wine production were significant while red wine production was of modest size. There is finesse and elegance with the nuance of bright red fruits. Balanced white wines with evident sharpness, like the cut of a steel blade.
Harvest begins August 31

2010

An icy winter: minus 20°C on December 19. The spring is beautiful in April while May is cool and dry.
It is cold during the flowering.
The summer lacks sunshine with variable weather. September sees an excellent recovery.
However, the yield is low: with thick skins and very little juice for white wines.
Good energy and concentration in red as in white.
The wines have an extraordinary long finish.
Harvest starts: September 22, 2010

2009

A sunny year,
l nature seems to flourish. Lots of millerandage. ;
The summer is characterised by a balanced availability of water.
A sunny vintage.
Wines are balanced and energetic.
Round tannins, gourmand.
Harvest starts: September 07, 2009

2008

The spring is cold and wet.
Flowering is late.
By mid-September, the conditions are ideal for the harvest: warm days and cool nights.
Reds are bright, luminous, structured and balanced.
Whites are clear and honest with a fine minerality.

Harvest starts: September 27, 2008

2007

The year begins strangely.
April is summer-like and so flowering is early.
The summer is sometimes hot and sometimes cold; humid conditions result in oïdium and mildew risks. At the end of August, the steady heat returns.
It requires 110 days after blossoming for the grapes reach maturity.
Whites are vibrant and structured.
Reds are sensual with a complex nose.

Harvest starts: August 29, 2007

2006

Flowering is rapid and homogenous, and July is very hot. August is uncharacteristic: the temperatures plummet.
September brings back sunny conditions.
The white wines are mineral and display rich volume.

Harvest starts: September 19, 2006

2005

A very beautiful spring followed by a dry summer with sunny days and cool nights with northern wind.
The grapes ripen harmoniously.
The vintage is exceptional: the white wines are pure and mineral.
Deep red wines with transparent energy.

Harvest starts: September 12, 2005

2004

An ideal spring, as if the weather was trying to make up for 2003.
Fruit set occurs in perfect conditions.
However, the summer is characterised by cool weather and instability with storms and hail.
Summertime finally arrives in late August and September.
A good balance of minerality and acidity marks the white wines.
The red wines are light, lacking some intensity.

Harvest starts: September 25, 2004

2003

A very dry spring is followed by an exceptional summertime heat wave.
Bunches with a full southern exposition were burned, and harvest thus took place a mere 90 days after flowering.
The yields are low, making for a sunny wine, concentrated, ripe and confit.

Harvest starts: August 18, 2003

2002

Spring is variable overall, but becomes beautiful and hot at the time of flowering.
The summer is full of contrasts: alternating heat and cold, with no notable rains.
The necessary rain arrives at the beginning of September and brings balance to the grapes.
Red wines are balanced and harmonious.

Harvest starts: September 18, 2002

2001

Spring was cool and rainy.
Summer heat does not begin before mid-July, and August is stormy.
Slow to develop, the red wines exhibit classic tannins.

Harvest starts: September 20, 2001

2000

The first spring of the third millennium is warm without much rain. Flowering is homogeneous.
This relative dry spell ends in July, which is cold and very wet, but August is marked by higher temperatures and plentiful sunshine.
A hailstorm on September 13 has no unfortunate consequences. The domaine starts production in the new winery this harvest.
White wines are rich, marked by a good balance of minerality and acidity.
Red wines are full-bodied.

Harvest starts: September 14, 2000