Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru 'Champ Chevrey' Monopole, Domaine Tollot-Beaut, 2020
Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru 'Champ Chevrey' Monopole, Domaine Tollot-Beaut, 2020
- 75cl
- 14.5%
- Red Still
- Pinot Noir
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Optimal drinking window: Now - 2040
Founded in the 1880s, Tollot-Beaut remains amongst the best value and consistently rewarding growers in the Cote de Beaune.
They were one of the first to begin domaine bottling their wines in 1921 and now 24ha strong, helmed by fifth generation Nathalie Tollot, with assistance from her father, uncle and cousins, this remains very much a family affair.
The 2020 vintage, characterised by favourable growing conditions, has resulted in a wine that is both expressive and well-structured. Pair with dishes that enhance its delicate flavours and elegant structure, such as herb-crusted pork tenderloin, roast chicken, or soft cheeses.
Currently showing primary purple fruit character with the tannins quite firm, this wine will benefit from 2-3 years of cellaring to allow integration. By 2028-2030, expect the fruit to meld with emerging secondary characters of forest floor and game, whilst the mineral backbone becomes more prominent. The wine should hit its stride around 2032-2035, maintaining this plateau until 2038-2040. Given the vintage's natural balance and the vineyard's terroir, it should age gracefully rather than decline sharply.
What the critics say:
"The 2020 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Champs Chevreys 1er Cru does not quite possess the cohesion of the Les Lavières on the nose at the moment, but there is a nice touch of reduction here that I think is masking more mineralité. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins. Good depth, there is more sinew compared to the Les Lavières and I suspect it will have more longevity."
"Despite being quite ripe, there is a certain coolness to the layered purple fruit, black raspberry and warm earth scents. There is both outstanding volume and power to the to the solidly concentrated middle weight plus flavors that possess an abundance of sappy dry extract that pushes the dusty and firm supporting tannins to the background on the noticeably better-balanced finale. "Outstanding""
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep ruby with purple highlights, showing the concentration of the 2020 vintage.
NosePurple fruit and black raspberry emerge first, followed by warm earth and a touch of reduction that hints at underlying minerality. There's a certain coolness despite the ripe fruit character that speaks to the vineyard's terroir.
PalateMedium-bodied with outstanding volume and concentration, the wine shows layers of dark fruit supported by firm, dusty tannins. The sappy dry extract provides excellent structure without overwhelming the fruit, whilst maintaining the balance that makes Savigny so appealing.
FinishLong and mineral-driven with the tannins well-integrated and the fruit lingering pleasantly.
Overall impressionA wine with more sinew and longevity than many Savignys, built to reward patience.
Food Pairings
In Burgundy, wines like this accompany the region's hearty cuisine perfectly—think coq au vin made with the same red wine, boeuf bourguignon with its rich, wine-braised sauce, or escargots de Bourgogne swimming in garlic butter. Local charcuterie, particularly jambon persillé (parslied ham terrine) and andouillette sausages, provide classic matches. The wine's earthiness also pairs beautifully with wild mushroom dishes, especially cèpes and girolles gathered from the local forests.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C to allow the fruit and structure to show properly. Decant for 30-45 minutes to help integrate the firm tannins and allow the reduction to blow off. Use Burgundy glasses with a wide bowl to concentrate the earthy aromatics. If drinking young, consider opening a few hours before serving to help soften the structure.
Champ Chevrey is a monopole vineyard owned entirely by Tollot-Beaut, sitting on the slopes of Savigny-lès-Beaune with clay-limestone soils that provide both richness and structure. The vineyard's exposure and elevation create ideal conditions for slow ripening, resulting in wines with natural balance and minerality. These soils retain moisture during dry spells whilst offering excellent drainage, contributing to the wine's combination of power and elegance.
Savigny-lès-Beaune sits between Beaune and Pernand-Vergelesses, producing some of Burgundy's most food-friendly reds. The appellation's premier crus are known for their approachable style compared to neighbours like Volnay or Pommard, offering earlier drinking pleasure whilst maintaining excellent ageing potential. The wines typically show more earthiness and structure than Beaune, with less perfume than Volnay, making them excellent value within the Côte de Beaune hierarchy.
We'll be honest: 2020 in Burgundy was a vintage that kept everyone on their toes. A warm, dry spring brought early budbreak, then summer turned properly scorching with temperatures hitting 40°C in August. The saving grace came from perfectly timed August rains that rescued the vines from serious drought stress, followed by ideal September weather that allowed for unhurried picking. Yields were mercifully normal after several years of frost-ravaged harvests, and crucially, the heat never tipped into the jammy territory that can plague warmer vintages here.
What emerged were wines with surprising freshness despite the heat, showing ripe fruit balanced by good acidity and lovely mineral precision. The reds have more immediate charm than the structured 2019s, with silky tannins and generous Pinot Noir character, whilst the whites display beautiful richness without losing that crystalline Burgundian tension we adore. This isn't a legendary vintage like 2005 or 2010, but it's thoroughly delicious and more approachable in youth than many Burgundy vintages. The village wines are drinking beautifully now, Premier Crus are just hitting their stride, and the Grands Crus will reward patience for another five to ten years.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
Purple fruit and black raspberry with warm earth and mineral notes, supported by firm but approachable tannins. It's structured and concentrated with excellent balance.
When should I drink this wine?
Whilst approachable now with decanting, it will be at its best from 2028-2040. The wine has the structure to reward patience.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Classic matches include roast chicken, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, and soft cheeses. It also works beautifully with mushroom dishes and traditional Burgundian cuisine like coq au vin.
Should I decant this wine?
Yes, decant for 30-45 minutes to help integrate the tannins and allow the wine to show its best. If drinking young, consider opening several hours ahead.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Absolutely. This has more structure and longevity than many Savigny wines, with the concentration to develop beautifully over 12-15 years from vintage.
How does this compare to other Burgundy premier crus?
Savigny offers excellent value compared to more famous appellations, with this monopole vineyard providing premier cru quality at a more accessible price point than neighbours like Volnay or Pommard.
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