Domaine Bruno Clair : Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er cru "La Dominode" 2017

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er cru "La Dominode" 2017 from Domaine Bruno Clair

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a deep red hue with cherry and garnet tints.

Nose

The nose is initially reserved, then progressively opens up to aromas of smoky black berries, graphite and minerals. Notes of blackberry, blueberry and crushed stone mingle with subtle earthy and gravelly touches. With aeration, the bouquet gains intensity and unveils a spicy dimension accompanied by light scents of humus.

Palate

On the palate, this wine presents a saline, almost iodized attack that brings remarkable freshness. The structure is medium-bodied yet dense, with fine and well-integrated tannins. The palate reveals a beautiful concentration of black fruit accompanied by a very present stony minerality. The finish, long and persistent, fully expresses the character of the terroir with a marked saline dimension.

Food and wine pairings

This Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er cru "La Dominode" 2017 pairs perfectly with red meats such as Beef Bourguignon or a grilled prime rib with pepper sauce. It also pairs very well with feathered game such as duck or pheasant, as well as wild mushroom-based preparations. Medium-intensity Burgundian cheeses like Chaource or Époisses also make excellent pairings.

Service and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er cru "La Dominode" 2017 at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. This wine can be appreciated now but has a cellaring potential until around 2035, or even beyond under optimal storage conditions.

A Savigny-Les-Beaune Premier Cru of remarkable intensity and complexity

The estate

Founded in 1979, Domaine Bruno Clair was born from the division of Domaine Clair-Daü in 1985. Today, the property extends over 27 hectares distributed across 8 villages in Burgundy, producing 32 different appellations. Bruno Clair, recognized as an exceptional winegrower, was joined by his three children Édouard, Margaux and Arthur, who brought a new qualitative momentum to the estate. The family perpetuates an environmentally respectful approach, favoring sustainable practices and minimal winemaking to reveal the authentic expression of each Burgundian terroir.

The vineyard

The Premier Cru La Dominode, whose name derives from the Latin "Dominus" meaning master, is located in Savigny-Les-Beaune on sandy-gravelly and marly-limestone soils. This 1.14-hectare plot benefits from an east and north-east exposure at an altitude of approximately 250 meters. The vines, some of which were planted in 1902, constitute an exceptional viticultural heritage of over 120 years. These old vines with naturally low yields produce grapes of remarkable concentration and complexity, fully expressing the unique character of this stony terroir.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage in Burgundy began with a mild winter followed by late frosts at the end of April, fortunately contained thanks to the protection measures put in place. May and June offered ideal conditions with heat and moderate rain favoring a harmonious flowering. The summer proved to be hot with a few marked temperature spikes. The harvest took place in early September under dry weather, allowing for a quality crop. This classic vintage is characterized by its balance and its capacity to express the transparency of the terroirs, while offering generous production after several years of low yields.

Winemaking and ageing

The Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er cru "La Dominode" 2017 is vinified with a proportion of whole clusters between 20 and 50%. Fermentation takes place in open wooden vats for about fourteen days with minimal sulfite additions, allowing indigenous yeasts to lead the process. Extraction is adapted to the specific character of the appellation. Ageing continues for eighteen to twenty months in oak barrels, including 30% new oak, allowing the wine to develop its complexity while preserving the expression of the fruit and the terroir.

Grape

100% Pinot Noir