1996 Domaine A.-F. Gros Savigny-les-Beaune Clos de Guettes

The domaine was established in 1988 when the parents of Anne-Françoise, Jean and Jeanine Gros of Vosne-Romanée decided to let go of a few parcels of the family domaine. The Gros family has been making wine in Burgundy since the mid -1800s as one generation after another has taken over the family enterprise and also branched out into their own wine producing endeavors. Anne-Françoise also acquired a domaine in Flagey-Échezeaux. Later, with her husband François Parent, she purchased a vineyard in Savigny-les-Beaune. The domaine now includes vineyards in numerous appellations, including Vosne-Romanee, Chambolle Musigny, Pommard and Beaune. Francois and Anne-Francois say that in Burgundy every appellation has a personality. "Each wine is bursting with a color and substance of its own, and that is the sensation you have in the palate, unique and different for each appellation."

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.