Simon Bize Savigny-les-Beaunes 1er Cru "Aux Vergelesses" 2005

From above the eponymous Pernand cru, Bize's 2005 Savigny-les-Beaune Aux Vergelesses suggests black cherry, blackberry, beet root, and high-toned distillates of black fruit on the nose. With a palate concentration approaching bitterness, this saturates the palate with black fruits, fruit pits, brown spices, beef marrow, and distinctly salty and chalky mineral suggestions. The tannins are quite refined. (And by the way, only 15% new barrels were employed.) Finishing with continued clarity and brightness as well as real grip, it makes a superb case for the inherent complexity of Savigny's top sites. I would revisit this quintessentially darkly-hued, concentrated 2005 in only three or four years but expect it to evolve interestingly for a dozen. Score: 93. -David Schildknecht, June 2007 (Taken from The Wine Advocate.)