Denis Carré did not inherit any vineyards, but – having harvested grapes as a teenager – he decided he wanted to make wine. He began renting vines, while working in a garage in the evenings to fund his winemaking. He and his wife, Bernadette, slowly grew the estate which now totals 14 hectares across the Hautes Côtes and Côte de Beaune. Their children, Martial and Gaëtane, have been involved full-time since 2008, and now run the domaine.
Tucked away in Meloisey, in the Hautes Cotes de Beaune, this small family domaine has so far remained relatively under the radar, but the recent change of generation has seen their reputation grow. Gaëtane and Martial are thoughtful, energetic and smart, understanding that wine is made to be drunk and enjoyed, and their focus is on making wines that give pleasure when young, but also have the potential to age gracefully. Everything is focused on preserving purity of fruit; a maximum of 25% new oak is used on the top wines, while the Pinot Noir is all de-stemmed, extraction is gentle and bâtonnage is avoided.
Located in the Planchots de la Champagne, Planchots du Nord and Connardizes climats, this Savigny-les-Beaune is a blend of 3 terroirs very close to each other. These 60-year-old plots located at the bottom of the hill cover approximately one hectare.
The Savigny Les Beaune Vieilles Vignes is a melange of ripe cherries, berries, and spice. A hint of gameness hits the nose and shows through to the palate. There are blue fruits as it opens in the glass, with more nuance, juiciness and length. Well balanced and open with velvety tannins. A wine of great elegance and finesse.
