Aux Guettes

Aux Guettes sits at the upper reaches of the Savigny-lès-Beaune Premier Cru zone, with elevations climbing from 270 to 330 meters. The vineyard's south-facing orientation captures maximum sun exposure throughout the growing season, compensating for the cooler temperatures typical of higher-altitude Burgundy sites. It forms part of the mosaic of Premier Cru vineyards that make Savigny-lès-Beaune a respected, if often overlooked, address on the Côte de Beaune.

• Located within the commune of Savigny-lès-Beaune, Côte de Beaune
• Alternate names include Clos des Guettes and Les Guettes
• Elevation: 270 to 330 meters above sea level
• South-facing aspect favors consistent fruit ripeness

The soils at Aux Guettes are classic upper-slope Burgundy: shallow, poor, and well-draining, composed of limestone, clay, and calcareous stones. This combination stresses the vine, concentrating flavors in the berry while preserving the natural acidity that defines great Pinot Noir. The thinness of the topsoil means the vine roots push deep into the bedrock, drawing mineral complexity that registers clearly in the finished wine.

• Shallow, nutrient-poor soils restrict vine vigor and concentrate fruit
• Limestone and calcareous stones underpin the mineral character in the wine
• Clay component retains just enough moisture during dry growing seasons
• Poor soil fertility is considered an asset in Premier Cru Burgundy viticulture

The name Aux Guettes connects directly to the vineyard's elevated, watchful position. It derives from the French verb 'guetter', meaning to watch over or keep lookout, reflecting its medieval use as a surveillance point over the surrounding landscape. The presence of a 14th-century castle in the broader Savigny-lès-Beaune appellation underscores the aristocratic and ecclesiastical heritage of the region. The Cistercian monks of Cîteaux held vineyards in this part of Burgundy during the medieval period, embedding the wine culture of Savigny deeply into monastic tradition.

• Name means 'the watchtowers' or 'the lookout posts' in French
• Medieval designation for elevated sites used for territorial monitoring
• Monks of Cîteaux had a significant historic presence in the Savigny vineyards
• A 14th-century castle reflects the long aristocratic heritage of the appellation

Aux Guettes produces Pinot Noir of finesse rather than power. The wines express red fruit, notably cherry and raspberry, alongside subtle spice notes and fine-grained tannins. Fresh acidity is a hallmark, keeping the wine lively across its development window. With proper cellaring, Aux Guettes rewards patience, reaching its expressive peak somewhere between four and ten years from harvest. It represents the classic Savigny-lès-Beaune profile: elegant, approachable, and honest in its expression of terroir.

Several respected Burgundy domaines and négociants craft wine from Aux Guettes, giving buyers multiple entry points into this Premier Cru. Domaine Simon Bize and Fils and Domaine Pavelot represent the top-tier domaine expressions, both with deep roots in Savigny. The major négociant houses, including Louis Jadot, Louis Latour, and Maison Joseph Drouhin, also produce bottlings, offering broader distribution and comparative price accessibility. Doudet Naudin and Jean-Claude Boisset round out the producer list.

• Domaine Simon Bize and Fils: a benchmark Savigny estate with generations of history
• Domaine Pavelot: highly regarded for precise, terroir-driven Savigny Premier Crus
• Louis Jadot and Louis Latour: reliable négociant options with strong distribution
• Maison Joseph Drouhin: known for consistent, house-style Burgundy across appellations