Finally another 2005 Burgundy offer: Benchmarks from Bize!
6/16/2007 -
Simon Bize is arguably the top producer in Savigny-Les-Beaune. Granted he has some stiff competition with Chandon de Brialles, Ecard and Pavelot but in 2005 Patrick Bize crafted the wines of his life. They are absolutely stunning examples of Savigny that showcase the vintage through each of his different vineyards. The differences between the vineyards are striking in 2005 and the terroir transparency in Bize's 2005's are nothing short of incredible.
Patrick is a strict traditionalist. He even crushes all his grapes by foot! Old vines and low yields is his mantra. There is spontaneous yeast fermentation, no fining or filtration, and he tastes everything so he does not have to rely on lab analysis. There is partial stalk fermentation. The stalks come from the old vines and some of the younger vines are partially destemmed. This gives the wines serious structure in their youth yet enables them to age long and gracefully and gain tremendous aromatic complexity with time. It is worth it to bury these. They are fun to drink young of course, especially in a vintage such as 2005, but save some for down the road. Patience is a virtue with Bize.
The Bize estate makes six 1er Cru Savigny's plus a village-level lieu-dit. The village-level lieu-dit is Les Grands Liards and is only lieu-dit in name as this wine easily is at 1er Cru level in great vintages such as 1985, 1990 and 1993 - 2005 is on par with those vintages. It lays right below the 1er Cru "Lavieres." I (Lyle) have tasted many Bize wines in the past but have not tasted the ‘05's but there is a consistent house style so the notes are more about the general style than how they taste in 2005. The wine has a wonderful texture, deep fruit and the structure to lay away for many years. The other village Savigny is the Bourgeots which is a tremendous wine with some spicy oak, dense fruit and dazzling purity. Don't let the "village" level denomination scare you into drinking these young. The first 1er Cru, Les Guettes, has a wonderfully elegant character with a lacy texture and has tremendous depth. There is some new wood on it but it actually gives the wine an attractive creaminess and it has tremendous balance. The Les Fourneaux is the most forward of the great 1er Cru's but still has tremendous depth and structure. The Aux Vergelesses comes from a poor rocky vineyard and creates a wine with unreal lightness and finesse. Really glides across the palate like a feather.
Bize also makes a small amount of Corton Charlemagne from 50 year old vines located in Pernand. It is absolutely delicious stuff albeit on the bigger more intense side of Corton Charlemagne. This is EXTREMELY limited
Bize also makes a small amount of Corton Charlemagne from 50 year old vines located in Pernand. It is absolutely delicious stuff albeit on the bigger more intense side of Corton Charlemagne. This is EXTREMELY limited
Savigny Les Beaune "Bourgeots" - $49.99
Savigny Les Beaune "Bourgeots" 1.5 L - $104.99
Savigny Les Beaune "Aux Grand Liards" - $52.99
Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Guettes" - $63.99
Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru "Les Fourneaux" - $63.99
Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Verglesses" - $64.99
Savigny Les Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Verglesses" - $139.99
Corton Charlemagne - $179.99
