Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny les Beaune 1er Cru Les Serpentières 2016

Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Serpentières 2016 is a Burgundy Premier Cru Pinot Noir from old vines in Savigny-lès-Beaune, bottled at approximately 13% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Sourced from a 1.7-hectare parcel planted on marl soils with vines averaging 55 years of age, this expression carries the concentration and mineral signature that the Serpentières vineyard is known for across the Côte de Beaune.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~13%  |  Origin: Savigny-lès-Beaune, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France  |  Premier Cru  |  Vintage: 2016  |  Domaine: Pierre Guillemot

Production & Heritage

The Guillemot family has worked vines in Savigny-lès-Beaune for eight generations, making them one of the commune's most deeply rooted vignerons. Farming at the domaine follows sustainable practices with manual harvesting, and winemaking relies on native yeast fermentations followed by extended aging in used oak barrels — a deliberate choice to let terroir and fruit speak ahead of new-wood influence. The Serpentières parcel sits on distinctive marl soils that contribute a pronounced mineral backbone to the wine, while the 55-year-old vines produce the naturally low yields that drive intensity and complexity.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Initially restrained on the nose, the wine opens gradually to reveal ripe red berries and plum, with undercurrents of tar, clove, and black pepper. A smoky, herbal quality adds further dimension as the wine breathes.

Taste: Medium-bodied and precise on entry, with fine, chalky tannins and vibrant acidity framing the mid-palate. Red plum skin, cranberry, and subtle baking spice develop through the center, supported by a taut structure that reflects both the vintage and the vineyard's marl soils. There is a satisfying density without heaviness, with forest berry concentration building steadily.

Finish: The finish is mineral-driven, with stony, earthy notes lingering alongside blood orange and forest floor. Length is impressive, with a polished tannic texture that sustains the wine well past the final sip.

How to Drink Les Serpentières 2016

At nearly a decade of age, this Premier Cru drinks beautifully neat in a large-bowled Burgundy glass at 60–63°F; decanting for 30 minutes will help the restrained aromatics fully emerge. A classic Coq au Vin highlights the wine's earthy, spice-driven character. Boeuf Bourguignon mirrors its Burgundian origins and complements the chalky tannins with slow-braised richness. Duck confit provides enough fat and savory depth to stand up to the wine's acidity and mineral finish.

Best For

• Burgundy collectors exploring under-the-radar Côte de Beaune Premier Cru vineyards
• A special dinner pairing with classic French cuisine
• Gifting a wine enthusiast who values terroir-driven, old-vine Pinot Noir
• Cellaring alongside other 2016 Burgundies for comparative tasting over the next five to eight years

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Les Serpentières 2016 taste like? This is a medium-bodied Pinot Noir marked by red plum, cranberry, and baking spice on the palate, with a stony, mineral-laden finish accented by blood orange and forest floor. Chalky tannins and lively acidity give it both structure and elegance.

How does Les Serpentières compare to other Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Crus? Serpentières is one of Savigny's most highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards, prized for its marl-rich soils that tend to produce wines with more mineral tension and tannic structure than softer, fruit-forward sites like Les Lavières. The Guillemot family's old vines — averaging 55 years — add further concentration that distinguishes this bottling within the appellation.

Is Les Serpentières 2016 good for drinking now? Yes — with nearly a decade of bottle age, the 2016 has entered a rewarding drinking window where primary fruit and tertiary complexity coexist. A brief decant helps the wine open fully, though further cellaring of five to eight years remains a viable option.

Where is Les Serpentières 2016 made? It is produced by Domaine Pierre Guillemot in Savigny-lès-Beaune, a commune in the Côte de Beaune sub-region of Burgundy, France. The grapes come from a 1.7-hectare Premier Cru parcel of Les Serpentières planted on marl soils.

What foods pair well with Les Serpentières 2016? Roasted duck breast works well with the wine's earthy, spice-driven profile. Grilled lamb chops complement its chalky tannins and red-fruit core. Mushroom risotto echoes the forest-floor character on the finish. Aged Comté or Époisses cheese mirrors the wine's Burgundian origins and amplifies its savory notes. Pork rillettes provide a rich, textured counterpoint to the bright acidity.

What sizes does Les Serpentières 2016 come in? This wine is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Les Serpentières 2016 worth the price? Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru consistently positions as one of the more accessible price points for genuine Côte de Beaune Premier Cru Burgundy. Combined with the Guillemot family's eight-generation heritage, old-vine fruit, and the strong reputation of the Serpentières vineyard, this bottling represents serious value relative to neighboring appellations like Beaune or Pommard Premier Cru.

Why Les Serpentières 2016?

What sets this wine apart begins in the vineyard: 55-year-old vines on marl soils in one of Savigny-lès-Beaune's top-tier Premier Cru parcels, farmed sustainably and harvested entirely by hand. The Guillemot family's eight-generation tenure in the commune represents a depth of viticultural knowledge that few producers in the appellation can match. Native yeast fermentation and aging in seasoned oak barrels keep the winemaking intentionally restrained, allowing the minerality and structure of the Serpentières terroir to define the wine. The 2016 vintage in Burgundy produced wines of concentration and balance, and this bottling captures exactly that character — a serious, terroir-transparent Côte de Beaune red that rewards both immediate drinking and patient cellaring.