2011 Domaine de Bellene Savigny-Les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes

Domaine de Bellene was started in 2005 by Nicolas Potel, a rising star in Burgundy and the son of the late, legendary Gerard Potel of the highly respected Domaine de la Pousse d’Or in Volnay. After his father’s death in 1997 Nicolas became a negociant, and started Maison Nicolas Potel. His wines earned praise from such writers as Clive Coates, but a falling out with his business partners led to Potel’s departure from the firm that still bears his name. After only one vintage as Domaine Nicolas Potel, Potel was forced to stop using his name for his new domaine. He changed the name to Domaine de Bellene and also started the negociant Maison Roche de Bellene. Nicolas makes wines biodynamically and is considered a rising star in Burgundy.

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.