Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru Les Serpentieres 2000, Francois Gay
This Savigny 1er Cru has a full cherry colour with a mature orange brick rim. The aromas are initially faint touching on plum and gentle oak. Over the next 15 minutes this evolves to a fragrant and medium-concentration nose of strawberries and plum. The nose is fairly rich but not complex with a whiff of "dark toast" and coffee from being aged in toated oak barrels. On the palate the wine shows the heft of the Serpentieres terroir -- usually the most tannic of the Savigny 1er Crus. We're talking medium acidity, dry greenish tannins, fresh plum fruit, a slight chalkiness and a dose of not-quite-ripe cherry. Impressive weight given that 2000 was a light vintage. This is a savoury wine and reflects the uber-dry wit of the vigneron Francois Gay who greets visitors thus: "Je m'appelle Gay... mais je ne suis pas gay!" One of a kind. This tannic Savigny requires a juicy boeuf bourguignon or roast lamb with garlic and rosemary.