Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets 2022 Domaine Justin Girardin

The Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets 2023 from Domaine Justin Girardin is the domaine's flagship and most ambitious cuvée for this appellation, from a 0.53 hectare parcel where 50-year-old vines produce a supple and elegant wine of remarkable finesse and structure. A bony Premier Cru in the words of an experienced taster, one that Justin Girardin himself favours in cooler, damper vintages, confirming that this atypical terroir reveals its truth through restraint rather than warmth.

Terroir and etymology

Two theories contest the origin of the name Peuillets. The first suggests it derives from old French "Pelet," meaning trifle or nothing, referring to the poor fertility of these lands unsuitable for other crops like wheat. The second proposes it comes from "Puelle," young forest, alluding to woodlands that existed here in the 17th and 18th centuries. Situated between Beaune and Savigny, this climat was suited only to vines. On this gently sloped, south-east facing terroir lies a mixture of gravel and reddish-brown limestone. These iron-oxide-rich calcareous gravels are precisely what gives Pinot Noir here its finesse, delicacy and elegant structure. Domaine Justin Girardin's parcel covers 0.53 hectares of 50-year-old Pinot Noir, with average yields of 40 hl/ha. Vines are farmed biodynamically, with triple sorting in the vineyard and on a vibrating table. Grapes are destemmed, placed in tank and cooled to 12°C for 5 days of cold maceration. Indigenous yeasts only. Maceration lasts 15 to 20 days with gentle pigeage and frequent pumpovers for soft, delicate extraction. Malolactic fermentation occurs in barrel, followed by 15 months ageing in Allier and Vosges oak, 22% new wood.

Tasting profile

The robe is a bright, vivid ruby. The nose opens with delicate red fruit, crushed raspberry, cherry and violet, with a crisp fruit sensation and immediate floral finesse that echoes the natural elegance of this calcareous gravel terroir. On the palate, the wine is supple and elegant, with fine-grained tannins that provide body without dominance. Good acidity ensures freshness and overall balance. The structure is there, solid, yet full of finesse, the absolute signature of this lieu-dit. The finish is clean, fruity and persistent, with an elegance and purity that confirm the quality of this overlooked Premier Cru. Enjoy now through 2029.

The domaine

Present in Burgundy since 1570, Justin Girardin now represents the thirteenth generation leading this 17-hectare family domaine spanning Santenay to Savigny-lès-Beaune, through Chassagne-Montrachet and Pommard. Each parcel produces its own wine with distinct character. Attentive to his vines' wellbeing, Justin and his team work biodynamically, intervening only when necessary to maintain the vineyard within a framework of healthy, ever-more environmentally conscious agriculture.

Food pairing

This Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Peuillets pairs beautifully with rack of lamb with herbs, sweetbread with morels, roasted duck, eggs in red wine sauce, or soft cheeses such as Brie de Meaux or aged Camembert. Served between 16 and 17°C, with light decanting suggested, it reveals all the fruity finesse, delicate structure and natural elegance of a Premier Cru carefully crafted by thirteen generations of committed vignerons.