Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Serpentieres Vieilles Vignes 2010
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
“Serpentières” is roundly held as the finest vineyard in Savigny, with its full southern exposure (full sun equals rich, ripe fruit) and chalky, mineral-rich soils; add to this winemaker Michel Ecard’s collection of very old vines—some pushing 80 years—which means very low yields this a serious, saturated mouthful of pure Pinot decadence. This rare bottle is a must-have in 2010!

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes Rouge 2010
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
A blend of four different village vineyards, each with its own terroir personality—from pure stone to pure sand. Winemaker Michel Ecard also declassifies some of his premier cru fruit and adds it here for more class and concentration. The balance of this wine is extraordinary; it’s not a big wine, but very pure and aromatic, with soft, supple Pinot frit and lots of spicy, mineral energy.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Gravains 2009
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
Aromas of smoke and crushed stones are evident on the nose, while the mouth is richly endowed yet not yet fully evolved—this is a great candidate for the cellar as its material is world-class. Very impressive.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets 2009
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
“Peuillets” is always a crowd pleaser, with its more expressive, sapid and sensual fruit and broader, palate-staining flavors. The plot’s 48-year-old vines produce lusciously concentrated fruit, as the mix of soils—stones and sand—give Pinot Noir here more gravitas and certainly more juicy flesh.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets 2010
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
“Peuillets” is always a crowd pleaser, with its more expressive, sapid and sensual fruit and broader, palate-staining flavors. The plot’s 48-year-old vines produce lusciously concentrated fruit, as the mix of soils—stones and sand—give Pinot Noir here more gravitas and certainly more juicy flesh.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Rouverettes 2009
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
This cooler, smaller vineyard sits on an incline and is peppered with stones; Pinot Noir here develops more chiseled flavors, more precise aromatics. The added flesh of the vintage means there’s something for everyone in “Rouvrettes,” rich, penetrating fruit plus lots of defined, invigorating spice.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Narbantons 2009
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
A very limited cru, just two barrels produced. “Narbantons,” with its stony terroir and smoky profile, is like “Gravains” structured for extended aging—the wine’s stuffing is pure and concentrated, with notes of tobacco and an almost Bordeaux tannic grip. Great structure and a very noble profile. Definitely one to treasure for five-to-10 years.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Serpentieres Vieilles Vignes 2009
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
In 2009 “Serpentières” is impressively deep and dense, with rich, savory and more textured red/black fruit flavors than usual—this is truly palate-staining Pinot, with lots of flesh and character.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes Rouge 2009
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
The balance of this wine is extraordinary; it’s not a big wine, but very pure and aromatic, with soft, supple Pinot frit and lots of spicy, mineral energy. Very long in the mouth, and perfectly ripe and silky. Impressive and easily premier cru quality.

Michel Ecard Savigny-les-Beaune Vieilles Vignes Rouge 2008
France / Côte de Beaune-Burgundy
A knock-out in 2008, this wine shines as a perfect representative of the greatness of Savigny-lès-Beaune when an artisan like Michel Ecard is in control.