Savigny-Lès-Beaune
1er Cru Aux Serpentières 2024
Balance and maturity are the words that come to mind when one evokes the vineyard of Savigny, three kilometers north of Beaune.
Origin
Savigny’s vineyards form a V-shape and are located at the meeting place of a valley and the plain, offering some of the most picturesque scenery in the Côte d’Or. These vineyards are of ancient lineage. For much of their history, they belonged to the domaine of the Dukes of Bourgogne, to neighbouring religious houses, or to the Knights of Malta. An imposing 14th century castle testifies to the appellation's aristocratic qualifications.
This climat is exposed full south. It was formerly called "les serpentines" from the name of a grass snake species. But this place name could also designate paths that "snaked" through the vines, at the time when they were planted "en foule" (in a mass) and not in straight rows. These paths would have been compared to serpents and been given this name thanks to this metaphor!
Viticulture
Grape variety: pinot noir
Soils: stony with some red clays.
Orientation: South
Surface area under vine: 0.2375 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 25 hL/h
Average age of the vines: 75 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 21 September 2024.
The grapes were handpicked. First sorting in the vineyard, second on the sorting table upon receipt of the harvest.
At the winery: 100% of grapes were destemmed but not crushed (they were left whole) and were gravity-fed into tanks. Maceration lasted a total of 16 days including 3 days of cold maceration (12°C). Fermentation used indigenous yeasts only (no additives such as enzymes or tannins were used). 4 punchings of the cap.
Ageing
Maturation: aged on the lees for 8 months with no racking using a proportion of 50% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: French oak barrels that had been toasted at low temperatures for a long time for very delicate oaking.
Bottling
Bottling: by gravity on July 2, 2025, unfined wine, light lenticular filtration.
Number of bottles: 776.
Vintage
Elegant and Structured
The 2024 vintage, marked by limited sunshine and frequent rainfall, required constant attention in the vineyard. At Les Ursulines, meticulous sorting allowed the selection of the most promising grapes (with very low yields in red), fully expressing the qualitative potential of the harvest. The result meets our highest expectations: the whites display beautiful freshness and acidity, while the reds reveal intense fruit character and supple tannins.
Ageing potential: between 6 to 9 years.
Tasting notes
This wine displays a beautiful ruby color and reveals a bouquet of red and black berries (redcurrant, blackcurrant), delicately highlighted by smoky notes. The palate, ripe and supple, harmoniously balances fruit, fine tannins, and lively acidity. An elegant and refined wine.
