Nobody Beats the Bize: The Fabulous Village Wines from Domaine Simon Bize

10/18/17 -

There are certain vignerons whose wines we eagerly anticiapte with each new vintage. Near the top of that list is Simon Bize et Fils. Arguably the finest grower in Savigny-Les-Beaune, the domaine was run by the talented Patrick Bize, who tragically passed away in 2013. The reins have been ably picked up by his wife Chisa and sister Marielle. The hallmarks of Bize are purity of  fruit, terroir transmission, and ageability. The wines have deep fruit, a distinctly mineral edge, and beautiful poise, along with serious structure, which allow for long term aging. Even in difficult vintages, Bize seems to rise above the crowd, as evidenced by a stellar bottle of 2000 vintage Aux Grands Liards tasted late last year.

The wines are old-fashioned (though not at all rustic) and transparent. This results from old vines, low yields, and traditional winemaking employing whole cluster fermentation as the vintage allows. Fermentation is with native yeasts, the use of new oak is judicious, and the wines are bottled unfiltered and unfined. The wines can be a bit reserved in their youth, but even at the village level they age with ease and gain in aromatic and textural complexity with a few years in the cellar.

Today we're happy to offer the 2015 Bourgogne and a pair of village wines. Bourgogne Les Perrières is located above the village with vines dating from the 1970s, planted in rocky soils. Les Bourgeots is on the southern end of the village by the Les Peuillets premier cru, and is comprised of white clay and limestone soils. Finally, Aux Grand Liards, situated beneath the Les Lavières premier cru, shows a good deal of the character and longevity of the nearby premier crus, with bottles aging effortlessly. Unfortunately quantities are limited, but we hope you'll consider adding a few bottles to your cellar.

-John McIlwain