91+ The old vine bottling of Pimentiers (eighty-nine years of age in 2018) is deeper and more structured than the Cuvée Reine Joly, but this is not atypical by any means, as this is always built like a fine premier cru. The bouquet is more reserved today, but shows impressive complexity to come, offering up a mix of dark berries, black cherries, pigeon, bitter chocolate, stony soil tones, Savigny spice tones, a touch of cedar and a smoky topnote. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and rock solid at the core, with a fine signature of stony soil tones, ripe, well-integrated tannins and fine length and grip on the very well-balanced finish. This will take a good decade to really start to hit on all cylinders, but it is going to be outstanding once it has blossomed.

The 2018 Savigny-lès-Beaune Les Pimentiers, which was not racked during its 12 month élevage, has a clean, pure bouquet of small red cherries and crushed strawberry aromas, almost pastille-like. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and nicely poised. Plenty of salinity comes through on the finish. Good length, but it needs time. -- Neal Martin