WTN: Tollot-Beaut Savigny-Lavieres 1er Cru 2014

Savigny-Lavieres 1er Cru, Domaine Tollot-Beaut, Savigny-les-Beaune, Bourgogne, 2014
I drink as many Bourgogne pinot noirs as I possibly can, although many of them are now beyond my price reach, except for very special occasions.

The incredible diversity of Bourgogne never fails to impress me, and the specificity of certain locations can both amaze and delight. But we all play favorites, right? We all have particular wines that reliably deliver exactly the right experience.

My favorite is Savigny-les-Beaune, for its balance of lovely, rich softness, bright core of acidity, and its ability---no, its eagerness---to support and enhance the food on the table. It is my go-to Bourgogne.

I also like Savigny, quite frankly, because of its not-quite-the-highest appellation—no Grand Crus there---which is the result of a slightly different slope orientation; yet it manages to make some of the most succulent and satisfying of wines.

Domaine Tollot-Beaut Savigny-Lavieres 1er Cru 2014 is the perfect example of why I love Savigny. Impeccably balanced, entirely harmonious, smooth and seamless and viscerally satisfying, this is a pinot noir I could never tire of.

My favorite is Savigny-les-Beaune, for its balance of lovely, rich softness, bright core of acidity, and its ability---no, its eagerness---to support and enhance the food on the table. It is my go-to Bourgogne..

Favorite? That's a very big word!

I mean I drink my fair share of Savigny, but price is a big factor. Because you can get many of the same elements from other areas. Just with added depth, dimension and complexity. Plus of course price.

Also, I'm not an expert on the appellation, but I wonder if 'rich softness' is a particular feature of the Tollot-Beaut accessible house style. A lot of the Savignys I drink tend more towards the crisper leafier side.

Understand your point, Rahsaan, but favorite was the word, freight and all.

Again, as I mentioned, for me it is all about the balance of the different elements---and Savigny seems to consistently satisfy me. Sure, price is always a consideration, and that's part of it, but I have been fortunate enough to taste all the AOCs (and usually many producers from a given AOC) and the one that has pleased me the most is Savigny.

I don't turn my nose up at any other Bourgogne, mind you.I like many of them; just some more than others. And when I am at a restaurant and I'm looking for something trustworthy and dependable at a decent price, if I see a Savigny, that's where I'll most likely go.

I don't believe this is simply a matter of the Tollot-Beaut 'house style'. I've had many different vintages, and different producers, of S-l-B, especially Les Lavieres, and the Tollot-Beaut was well within what I believe the parameters are.

Potel, both Domain and Maison, are lovely; Bouchard Pere, Bize, Chandon des Briailles, Louis Latour, Leroy, Vougeraie-Marconnets---these have all delivered the Savigny experience I love. Jadot to a lesser extent (but still tasty) and Chanson, ditto.

Oh, I also like Chorey, tho not as much. And don't even get me started on St. Aubin.

..I have been fortunate enough to taste all the AOCs (and usually many producers from a given AOC) and the one that has pleased me the most is Savigny.

Sounds good!

I can't say I've had enough of all the AOCs to get a strong handle on each village (especially the higher priced ones). So my clusters of purchases tend to be skewed by price/availability, but I can't say I have strong aesthetic preferences for one village or another. Producer style seems to be a bigger variable for me.

Anyway, I also love Savigny and am getting inspired. (Although at the moment on my way to the kitchen to open a 2006 Louis Boillot Champonnet).

[Jenise]

Just yesterday decided that I should buy and drink more SLBs, Hoke. Pondered how many enjoyable ones I'd had (and I'd never stopped to mentally add them up before) after taking a spectacular '96 Mommessin to Bill's Friday lunch yesterday.