2016 Pavelot Savigny Les Beaune 1er Guettes

Moderately saturated dark red. A bit more forbidding on the nose than the Beaune Bressandes, conveying a coolness to its aromas of black cherry, shoe polish, licorice and leather; I found myself wanting a bit of oaky sweetness. Then surprisingly rich and savory on the palate, offering good chewy concentration and inner-mouth floral lift and nicely shaped by harmonious acidity. The classiest of these 2016s to this point, this wine boasts excellent mid-palate clarity and energy and finishes with firm backbone and very good persistence.  Steve Tanzer 89-91

The 2016 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Guettes is limited to six barrels this vintage (fortunately, there are 17 in 2017, demonstrating how severely this vineyard was damaged by frost). It has a timid bouquet at first but eventually unfurls to reveal a mixture of red and black fruit—mulberry and crushed strawberry, a light marine influence developing with time. The palate is medium-bodied and underpinned by fine, almost filigree tannin. I appreciate the elegance of this Savigny that survived despite the frost damage, and there is plenty of vivacity and tension on the finish. Excellent.  Neal Martin 90-92