Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Savigny-Les-Beaune 1er cru "Fourneaux" 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Fourneaux" 2020 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep cherry-red hue, enhanced by delicate violet highlights.

Nose

The nose is vibrant and complex, opening on aromas of ripe red fruits such as cherry and raspberry. With aeration, spicy notes of white pepper, honey and paprika emerge, joined by subtle earthy and slightly herbaceous nuances that reflect the expression of the terroir.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is firm and fleshy, with a supple, silky texture. Lively acidity brings energy and freshness, while the aromatic complexity unfolds gradually. The finish lingers elegantly, revealing delicate minerality and excellent persistence.

Food and wine pairings

This Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Fourneaux" 2020 pairs harmoniously with red meats such as roasted or braised lamb, roast beef, as well as roasted poultry. It also matches well with mild, creamy cheeses like Époisses or Reblochon, and pairs perfectly with mushroom-based dishes.

Serving and cellaring

This Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Fourneaux" 2020 can be enjoyed now, but will benefit from five to ten years of cellaring to fully reveal its complexity.

A rich, beautifully concentrated Premier Cru from Burgundy

The estate

Founded in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, a fifth-generation winegrower, Domaine Nicolas Rossignol now covers seventeen hectares across more than thirty appellations in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy. Based in Beaune since 2011, the estate stands out for its vineyard approach inspired by biodynamics and its commitment to sustainable farming. Nicolas Rossignol, who has broadened his experience through internships in France and abroad, favors a philosophy of guiding the fruit rather than extraction, crafting wines of remarkable finesse and authenticity.

The vineyard

The Climat "Fourneaux" lies within the commune of Savigny-Lès-Beaune, about three and a half kilometers northwest of Beaune. Planted on a gentle slope with ideal southwest exposure, this Premier Cru benefits from optimal sunshine. The soils are composed of marls and Bathonian limestone, creating a relatively light terroir with a reddish hue dotted with stones. This geological makeup gives the wine distinctive minerality and promotes excellent drainage, allowing balanced ripening of the grapes while preserving their natural freshness.

The vintage

The year 2020 was an exceptional vintage in Burgundy, marked by remarkable earliness. After a mild, wet winter that replenished water reserves, budbreak occurred about a month ahead of the historical average. A windy, dry spring was followed by a summer characterized by record drought, the most severe since 1945. Despite extraordinary sunshine, temperatures generally remained below 36 degrees Celsius, thus preserving the grapes’ tartaric acidity. This unlikely combination of concentration and freshness made it possible to produce wines that are remarkably balanced, pure and elegant.

Vinification and aging

The Savigny-Lès-Beaune 1er Cru "Fourneaux" 2020 grapes are harvested by hand and placed into small eight-kilogram crates to preserve their integrity. After a rigorous double sorting, alcoholic fermentation begins naturally with indigenous yeasts and lasts between six and eight days. Punch-downs and pump-overs are carried out daily, adapted to the conditions of the vintage. Aging takes place on fine lees in French oak barrels for ten to twenty months depending on the needs of the cuvée, without racking. Malolactic fermentation is deliberately delayed by six months to enhance aromatic complexity. Bottling is carried out without fining or filtration, preserving the wine’s integrity.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir