2004 Domaine Chanson Pere et Fils Savigny-Les-Beaune La Dominode

Chanson Pere et Fils was established in Beaune in 1750, making it one of the oldest domaines in Beaune. The original founder, Simon Verry, named the business after himself. A century later, the family sold their business to their young manager, Alexis Chanson. In 1999 the 100-acre estate was sold to Champagne Bollinger and Jean-Pierre Confuron was brought in as winemaker. Chanson Pere et Fils has Grand Cru and Premier Cru parcels, including the Beaune Premier Cru monopole Clos des Feves.

Savigny-lès-Beaune is the third largest producing appellation in the Côte de Beaune and has 1,343 vineyard acres. Located three miles north of Beaune, the commune of Savigny-lès-Beaune is one of Burgundy’s largest communes with early 1,500 inhabitants. Some 97% of the vineyards are planted to Pinot Noir, with the remainder planted to Chardonnay. And though there are no Grands Crus, there are 22 Premiers Crus in whole or part. The appellation is divided into vineyards that are either on the hillsides to the north of the highway and river, or on the hillsides to the south. Many reviewers believe that the best vineyards are to the north of the highway, and they include Aux Serpentieres, Aux Vergelesses, and Les Lavieres, among others. The northern vineyards have some of the best southern exposure in Burgundy, which accounts for the quality of the wines from those vineyards. The wines of Savigny-lès-Beaune are considered lighter than many other Burgundy reds. However Robert M. Parker Jr. has noted that the “top wines are usually ready to drink young and are very fruity and stylish…”

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.