France • Burgundy • Côte de Beaune • Savigny-lès-Beaune • Vergelesses • Pinot Noir • Simon Bize • Vintage 1961 • Tastevinage

Savigny-lès-Beaune “Vergelesses” 1961 – Simon Bize

A rare old bottle of Savigny-lès-Beaune “Vergelesses” 1961 by Simon Bize, bearing the Tastevinage mention. A patrimonial Burgundy Pinot Noir from a historic vintage, intended for lovers of mature wines, collectors and enthusiasts of bottles with a strong sense of history.

An old Savigny-lès-Beaune with patrimonial charm

Savigny-lès-Beaune is one of the most charming villages of the Côte de Beaune. Located between Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton, the appellation produces elegant, refined Pinot Noir wines, often marked by beautiful aromatic freshness. The Vergelesses sector, close to Pernand-Vergelesses, is one of the most reputed areas of the village, appreciated for the distinction, depth and finesse of its wines.

This 1961 bottle now belongs to the world of old and patrimonial wines. It should not be approached as a wine of power, but as a testimony to time: a rare bottle from a historic Savigny-lès-Beaune producer, whose interest lies as much in its origin as in its age, evolution and singularity.

Simon Bize – A historic signature of Savigny-lès-Beaune

Simon Bize is one of the emblematic names of Savigny-lès-Beaune. For several generations, the domaine has been associated with characterful, precise, sincere wines deeply rooted in their terroir. The wines from Savigny often express a Burgundy of finesse and energy, where Pinot Noir reveals an elegant reading of the soils of the Côte de Beaune.

In a vintage as old as 1961, the interest of such a bottle lies in the meeting of a historic producer, a recognised climat and the slow evolution of a Burgundian Pinot Noir. Mature wines can offer a subtle reading of time, with a patinated texture, tertiary aromas and a particular emotion linked to the age of the bottle.

The Tastevinage mention

This bottle bears the Tastevinage mention, a distinction created in 1950 by the Confrérie des Chevaliers du Tastevin. Tastevinage consists of a rigorous selection of wines from Greater Burgundy, from Chablis to the crus of Beaujolais, in order to distinguish bottles that remain faithful to their appellation, their vintage and the spirit of their terroir.

For a Savigny-lès-Beaune “Vergelesses” 1961, this mention reinforces the historical and patrimonial interest of the bottle. It bears witness to recognition granted to the wine at the time, highlighting its character, sincerity and quality within the great Burgundian tradition.

The 1961 vintage in Burgundy

The 1961 vintage holds a special place in the history of great French wines. In Burgundy, well-preserved bottles from this period may still offer a fascinating, fragile and deeply evolved expression of Pinot Noir. At this stage, each bottle becomes a unique object, where level, cork, colour and storage conditions play an essential role.

After more than six decades of evolution, a Savigny-lès-Beaune 1961 should be approached with delicacy. Its charm no longer lies in youthful vigour, but in tertiary complexity, finesse of texture and the emotion of tasting a wine that has travelled through time.

Tasting profile

Depending on its condition, this Savigny-lès-Beaune “Vergelesses” 1961 may offer a delicate bouquet of faded red fruit, dried cherry, autumn leaves, undergrowth, fine leather, gentle spices, old rose, damp earth and tertiary nuances. The fruit gradually gives way to a more contemplative expression, where finesse and aromatic persistence take precedence over intensity.

On the palate, a Pinot Noir of this age may be delicate, patinated and subtle, with fully softened tannins, a light body and a fragile yet moving aromatic expression. This is a wine of memory, to be appreciated for its history, origin and the poetry of a great Burgundian terroir at an advanced stage of evolution.

Food pairing

A bottle of this age calls for refined, discreet and delicate pairings. It may accompany roast poultry, poularde with morels, veal fillet, mushroom risotto, delicately prepared quail, roast pigeon or mature soft-textured cheeses.

It is best to avoid dishes that are too powerful, too spicy or too sweet, as they could overwhelm the fragility of the wine. The finest pairings will be those that respect the finesse of an old Pinot Noir and accompany its tertiary aromas without dominating them.

Serving advice

A Burgundy bottle from 1961 must be handled with extreme care. We recommend standing the bottle upright for several hours before opening, allowing the natural sediment to settle at the bottom. The bottle should be opened slowly and delicately, ideally with a corkscrew suited to older corks.

Prolonged decanting is not recommended for a Pinot Noir of this age. It is preferable to open the bottle carefully, taste the wine immediately, then adapt aeration according to its evolution in the glass. Serving it in large glasses will help preserve its finesse, tertiary aromas and fragile mature charm.