2022 Domaine du Prieure, Hautes Cotes de Beaune, Burgundy, France

From the village of Savigny in the Côte de Beaune, Jean Michel Maurice takes pride in preserving the subtle influence of the terroir and pure essence of Pinot from the surrounding vignoble. These grapes are from the higher slopes above Savigny and hand-picked at harvest. Vinification is in open vats, with maceration and fermentation lasting a week before the wine is aged in barrels for 9 months. This wine extols the virtues of this tricky grape variety, with a purity of fruit and a captivating perfume of summer berries whilst finishing to a soft silkiness.

Found in the heart of the Cote de Beaune, the picturesque village of Savigny-les-Beaune has for a long time earned its good name. It was here that the monks of Citeaux, the founders of the Burgundian vineyard system, became substantial property owners. In order to administer their vineyards they established a priory in the 16th century, hence the name. Today the 31-hectare domaine is owned by Jean-Michel Maurice, the mayor of Savigny, along with his son Stephen, who uses his international experience as winemaker.