Savigny-les-Beaune 1er Cru "Les Serpentieres" 2002, Maurice Ecard

The last time I tasted at Maurice Ecard my friend Peter was "un peu ivre" and shocked Mme with inane and dangerous comments. Luckily for him, when one buys the wine at the domaine they price all wines at the same price so even an inebriated mind can calculate the cash required. Ecard is a legendary producer in Savigny - a village stocked with remarkable old guardists. Seguin for instance still stocks Beaujolais, Rhone and even port.

Serpentieres is on the northern side of the valley towards Aloxe and away from Beaune. This wine has a wonderful stewed strawberry colour. Plum stones, autumn hedgerows, crunchy bracken, conkers and black currants dominate the nose. Tremendous full cherry flavours and bright fruit tannins on the palate. This perfect Savigny would be ideal for a slightly fatty canard confit or smoked pigeon breast. Keep it simple and look what can be achieved.