2019 Domaine Michel Gay et Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru Aux Serpentières

The 2019 Domaine Michel Gay et Fils Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru Aux Serpentières is an age-worthy red Burgundy from one of Savigny's most respected hillside vineyards. Aux Serpentières is a south-facing Premier Cru climat of marl and limestone just east of the village, known for producing wines of elegance and lift rather than raw power. The 2019 vintage in Burgundy delivered superb balance between richness and structure, and this bottling captures that generosity while holding the freshness and definition the site is known for. Domaine Michel Gay et Fils was established in 1992 when Michel Gay and his brother François divided the century-old family estate, with Michel taking holdings across Chorey-lès-Beaune, Savigny-lès-Beaune, Beaune, Aloxe-Corton, and Corton. The estate is now overseen by fifth-generation brothers Sébastien and Laurent Gay, who manage both vineyard and cellar. Sébastien eliminated herbicides upon his return from winemaking studies in Beaune in 2000, moving the domaine toward an organic and biodynamic approach without formal certification, prioritizing flexibility over label constraints. Vines average over forty years of age, and wines are fermented in concrete or stainless steel before being transferred by gravity to barrel for fourteen to eighteen months, with new oak used sparingly to preserve the character and purity of each site. The nose opens with red cherry, wild strawberry, and violet, accented by earthy undergrowth and delicate spice. On the palate it is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins, vibrant acidity, and layers of raspberry, cranberry, and savoury minerality that carry through to a silky, lingering finish. Wine writer Clive Coates MW described the cluster of Premier Cru sites to which Serpentières belongs as producing Savignys of style rather than substance, and the reputation holds: this is Côte de Beaune Pinot Noir with aromatic lift, tension, and genuine finesse. Approachable now, it has the structure and depth to develop over the coming decade. Pair it with roast duck, mushroom risotto, or a simple coq au vin to let the wine's elegance speak. In stock at Off Premise in Lincoln Park.