Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Serpentières” Vieilles Vignes 2019 Domaine Michel Ecard
The Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru “Les Serpentières” Vieilles Vignes 2019 is one of the flagship wines of Domaine Michel Ecard, a small artisan estate whose reputation has been built on meticulous vineyard work, exceptionally old vines and a philosophy centred on purity of expression.
This cuvée comes from Les Serpentières, widely regarded as one of the finest Premier Cru vineyards in Savigny-lès-Beaune. Perfectly south-facing, the vineyard is rooted in soils composed of gravel, iron-rich marl and clay, providing ideal conditions for producing Pinot Noir with remarkable structure, minerality and aromatic complexity. The vines were planted during the 1930s and are now more than 80 years old, naturally yielding small quantities of highly concentrated fruit.
Harvesting is carried out entirely by hand. After complete destemming, fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled tanks. The wine is then gently pressed using a traditional vertical hand-operated press before ageing in French oak barrels, with approximately 30–50% new oak, carefully balanced to support the wine without masking its terroir. Bottling is carried out without fining or filtration, preserving texture, depth and authenticity.
The nose is beautifully layered, opening with dark cherry, blueberry and ripe red plum, followed by refined notes of sweet spice, incense, forest floor and subtle iron nuances that reflect the vineyard’s distinctive soils.
On the palate, the wine is full-bodied yet remarkably supple, combining silky tannins with vibrant freshness and outstanding balance. The fruit remains pure and focused throughout, while the long, mineral finish reveals the precision and complexity that only old vines can deliver.
Already impressive in its youth, this Premier Cru possesses excellent ageing potential and will continue to gain complexity over the coming decade and beyond. It pairs beautifully with roast lamb, herb sausages, duck, guinea fowl and game birds, making it an outstanding expression of traditional Côte de Beaune Pinot Noir.


