2006 Simon Bize Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru "Aux Vergelesses"

“This is extremely primary, indeed to the point of where it even appears backward relative to the Fourneaux with a similarly brooding nose of plum and dark berry fruit with extraordinarily powerful flavors for this growth with everything it needs for a long life as the impression is one of controlled muscle and punch plus gorgeous length. This competes very favorably for the Savigny of the vintage honors though note that the style is decidedly old school. *Sweet Spot, Outstanding*” (04/2008)

“As opposed to several of these rather black fruity Savigny premier crus, the Vergelesses was all red fruit and spice as it sat in barrel awaiting its assembly and future bottling. The nose is a fine blend of red cherries, raspberries, red currant, orange zest, spice, coffee and lovely minerality. On the palate the wine is fullish, long and intensely flavored, with lovely mid-palate depth, excellent transparency, and lovely complexity and tang on the moderately tannic finish. What a tour de force of Savigny premier crus this year in the Bize cellars. Impossible to choose a favorite!” (11/2007)

“Bize's 2006 Savigny-les-Beaune Aux Vergelesses – two-thirds of which was not de-stemmed – reflects the sort of extra depth and intrigue that it did in the 2005 vintage. Suggestions of iodine, kelp, and sea breezes mingle on the nose and palate with faintly tart and bitter blackberry fruit, with fine tannins segueing into an undertone of wet stone. This finishes in a long colloquy of dark fruit and marine mineral elements. (DS)” (12/2009)

“On the austere side, with depth to its cherry spice, wild underbrush and mineral elements. Firmly structured and tensile, with fine length. (BS)” (10/2009)