Vinous (96)

The 2015 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru has an immediately seductive, extremely pure bouquet of bright red fruit, strawberry and cranberry; hints of blueberry surface with aeration. The oak is very well integrated, and with continued aeration in the glass, the raspberry component becomes more expressive. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit encased by grippy, slightly firm tannins. This is a very serious Grand Cru, extraordinarily focused and full of tension; the mouth still tingles 60 seconds after it has exited. A consummate expression of a great Burgundy vintage. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

Indulge in the exquisite craftsmanship of Bertagna Clos-Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2015. This unrivalled synergy of terroir, expertise, and tradition is hailing from the renowned Côte de Nuits in Burgundy. As the fifth generation wine producer, the Bertagna family brings the meticulous dedication, producing a Grand Cru with an arresting, yet delicate complexity.

The Burgundian secret to this enchanting wine lies in fermentation in wooden barrels lending it an unparalleled structure. Aged for 18 months in new oak barrels, it radiates a ruby red hue emanating aromas of wild berries and spices.

On the palate, Bertagna Clos-Saint-Denis Grand Cru 2015 offers an impressive depth of flavor with a harmoniously balanced acidity. It unfolds the dark fruit notes effortlessly melded with velvety tannins, guiding towards an enduring, elegant finish. This bottle captures the essence of Burgundian finesse while pushing the boundaries of Pinot Noir expression. Embrace the indulgent journey of tasting this gem from Bertagna's stellar portfolio.

Vinous (89-92)

(no hail or frost here in 2015, according to Clair): Medium red. Musky, deeply pitched aromas of raspberry, strawberry and smoky, flinty minerality. Quite taut in the early going, even a bit tough, and not showing the vintage's fleshy side today. But this firmly structured wine finishes with palate-stimulating salinity and subtle length. I would not be surprised if this eventually merited a rating at the top end of my projected range.

Vinous (89-91)

The 2019 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Lavières 1er Cru shows evident whole bunch on the nose that slightly occludes the terroir expression, yet it is fresh and transparent. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp raspberry and blackberry opening. Leafy red fruit combines with a touch of graphite toward the finish. A nimble Savigny with a peppery finish. Should drink well over the next decade.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2017 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru comes from vines planted in 1936, and was raised in three barrels this year (two of them new.) It has a clean, precise tightly wound bouquet of blackberry, raspberry preserve, pressed iris and subtle undergrowth, almost peaty aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with grippy tannin, quite masculine compared to the Clos de la Roche, and shows firmer grip and persistence on the chalky finish. Very fine and quite cerebral.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)

Deep, bright red. Urgent crushed cherry and red raspberry fruit aromas are complicated and lifted by rose petal, white pepper, citrus peel and sexy oak; an essence of Clos Saint-Denis. Rich, layered and deep but also wonderfully brisk, with an exhilarating element of blood orange contributing to the impression of razor-sharp definition. Finishes with fine-grained, noble tannins, subtle rising length and a magically weightless impression. A wine of compelling purity and class, this beauty should be long-lived. The yield here was 30 hectoliters per hectare and the pH is 3.4, according to Stehly. Incidentally, this estate is the largest owner of vines in Clos Saint-Denis, at 1.49 hectares. Stehly picks this fruit in the morning because he uses a smaller tank in which it would be harder to chill the grapes. He continues to sell some of his Clos Saint-Denis to Lucien Le Moine, Marchand-Tawse and Jadot, noting that his clients supply their own barrels and take the wines, with their lees, in January. (He also sells some of his Clos de la Roche.)

Vinous (91-94)

(half of these vines are 70 years old, the other half 60): Moderately saturated medium red. Musky, soil-driven scents of fresh red fruits, crushed rock, flint and rose petal. Penetrating and sharply delineated, offering terrific intensity to its flavors of red berries, sappy cherry, minerals and blood orange. At once salty and juicy, this very long wine leaves the palate perfumed. Stehly compares this wine to a Musigny in its youthful strictness, and it strikes me as a classic young Clos Saint-Denis that will need time in bottle to expand. Stehly used to work mostly with spicy Cadus barrels for this wine but now uses one-third each Berthomieu and Tonnelerie du Val du Loire for his Clos Saint-Denis, as he feels these barrels are at once sweeter and more delicate.

Vinous (87-89)

The 2019 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru shows quite a bit of reduction on the nose though there appears to be satisfactory fruit underneath. The palate is chewy and quite dense, though I am seeking more nerve and mineralité on its "blocky" finish.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2020 Savigny-lès-Beaune Aux Vergelesses 1er Cru has a delightful bouquet with cranberry, raspberry and briary aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy, ripe black and red fruit, fresh and well-defined, the 30% whole bunch imparting a pleasant peppery note on the finish. This is worth seeking out. Closure: Screwcap, Diam or Cork

Inspired by the legacy of Burgundy, the Jean Guiton Savigny Beaune Peuillets 2019 is a testament to the vintner's passion for traditional wine craftsmanship. This wine is produced in limited quantities in the heart of Burgundy, France; a region known for its distinctive terroir and venerable viticultural traditions. Hand-picked from prime vineyards, Jean-Guiton uses environmentally-friendly methods, championing biodiversity to create exquisite wines.

The Jean Guiton Savigny Beaune Peuillets 2019, is celebrated for complex layers of hawthorn, raspberry, and liquorice aromas. Matured in partially new oak barrels for about a year, this Pinot Noir exudes elegance with a silken texture, bright fruit, and prolonged finish. It provides an enriching sensory experience that leaves a profound, lingering impression.

Produced by Guillaume Guiton, a respected innovator in the field, this wine maintains the enviable quality that embodies the Jean Guiton estate's renowned reputation.

Vinous (93-95)

The 2018 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru has a cohesive, focused bouquet of intense red currant, wild strawberry and crushed stone aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity and slightly angular tannins that will be softened with time. I appreciate the energy and backbone of this Grand Cru. Excellent.

Wine Advocate (94-96)

One of the highlights of the portfolio is the 2018 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru (Domaine Gagey), a lovely wine that bursts with aromas of rose petals, deep red fruits, sweet soil tones, raw cocoa and cinnamon. On the palate, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with lively acids, considerable concentration and an ample endowment of fine-grained tannin. This will require and reward patience.

Tim Atkin MW (96)

Punchy red fruits sing on the nose: pomegranate seeds, fresh cranberries and kirsch. Fabulously pure fruits soak the full-bodied palate encased in suave tannins and fresh acidity. This is focused and chiselled with excellent terroir clarity. Woodsy spice and leather notes mingle with the long, fruit-filled finish. 2025-40

Vinous (90-92)

The 2021 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru has a pastille-like purity on the nose with sensual red cherries, redcurrant and cranberry aromas all deftly entwined with the new oak. The palate is medium-bodied with chewy tannins. It's structured and bold, though it lacks the finesse that is implied by the bouquet. Solid, but a bit unwieldy at the moment.

Wine Advocate (92-94)

The 2019 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières opens in the glass with pretty aromas of peonies, rose petals, sweet wild berries, orange rind, raw cocoa and forest floor. Medium to full-bodied, supple and perfumed, it's sumptuous and melting, with lively acids and a charming, enveloping profile. This is one of the most seductive wines in the range.

Vinous (91)

The 2018 Clos Saint-Denis Grand Cru has quite an intense bouquet with red berry fruit, touches of blackcurrant, pain d'épice and sous-bois. This seems to grow and deepen in the glass, developing some unnecessary headiness and then, as if skulking from out of a darkened corner, noticeable and sadly compromising Brettanomyces. The palate is medium-bodied with quite thick and dense tannins. Backward and rather surly, this is a serious Clos Saint-Denis, more dark than light, with some dryness and austerity on the finish. Like reading Dostoevsky when you just want a simple page-turner. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.

Vinous (90-92)

The 2020 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Champs Chevreys 1er Cru does not quite possess the cohesion of the Les Lavières on the nose at the moment, but there is a nice touch of reduction here that I think is masking more mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. Good depth, there is more sinew compared to the Les Lavières and I suspect it will have more longevity.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (89-91)

A notably more vibrant colour, fresh purple. This seems very youthful on the nose, not so much definition yet. The wood from this barrel is a bit more present with a dry François Frères type of toastiness. Will need a little time to settle down, but will definitely deliver. I have no qualms about giving the 2021 Champ Chevrey the benefit of the doubt. Drink from 2025-2028. Tasted: October 2022