France

Domaine Simon Bize has long been an insider secret, offering serious value and even more serious ageing potential from its spectrum of plots around Savigny-lès-Beaune.A family-run estate founded in 1868, Patrick Bize began building its enviable reputation when he took the reins in the 1970s. Since his death in 2013, the domaine has been run by his wife, Chisa, who had worked alongside her husband in their vineyards since 2008 and studied with biodynamic pioneer Anne-Claude Leflaive at the École du Vin et des Terroirs in Puligny-Montrachet.While only a couple of their vineyards are fully biodynamic, the domaine's techniques remain traditional and as hands-off as possible. For the reds, that means harvesting whole or partially-whole clusters, which are punched down by foot to avoid harsh extraction, and see little to no new oak during barrel ageing. Each cuvée is assembled in stainless steel vats prior to bottling, with no fining or filtration. This produces plush, weighty wines, with the feel of hearty, old-school Savigny-lès-Beaune.The flagship wines come from the steep slopes of vineyards like 1er Cru 'Aux Vergelesses' and, even after decades, taste as vivid as the day they were made. The sheer concentration and balance of Bourgogne Rouge 'Les Perrières' ensures it ages beautifully; the Grand Cru Latricières-Chambertin, yet more so.

Simon Bize

Wines

In the wine trade? Sign up for regular Keeling Andrew wine offers