Les Talmettes

Les Talmettes has a relatively recent chapter in its story as a named Premier Cru. Before 2007, the fruit grown here was folded into bottlings of Vergelesses rather than released under its own label. A regulatory change that year required separate bottling, giving Les Talmettes its distinct identity on labels. The name itself points to older roots, most likely derived from the Latin 'Talutium', a term referencing a deep or talus slope, which describes the gradient of the hillside well. This late emergence as a standalone cru means it remains one of the lesser-known Premiers Crus in Savigny-lès-Beaune, though producers who farm it take it seriously.

• Blended into Vergelesses before the 2007 appellation rule change
• New regulations in 2007 mandated separate bottling as its own cru
• Name etymology traced to Latin 'Talutium', meaning deep slope
• Relatively limited producer list reflects the cru's small total surface area

Les Talmettes sits within Savigny-lès-Beaune, a commune that cuts into the hills at the northern end of the Côte de Beaune. The vineyard faces south-southwest, capturing afternoon sun, with elevations ranging from 250 to 400 metres. The soils are Bathonian in age, a mid-Jurassic formation delivering marl and limestone as a base, overlaid with light, reddish earth strewn with sharp stones and a sandy component. This combination of good drainage, stone-rich topsoil and calcareous subsoil is typical of the best Côte de Beaune Premier Cru sites. The continental climate of Burgundy applies here, with the added advantage of protection from north winds, allowing steady ripening through the growing season.

• South-southwest aspect maximises afternoon sun exposure
• Bathonian-age soils combine marl, limestone, clay and sand
• Reddish hue of topsoil indicates iron-rich composition
• Protected from north winds, moderating the continental climate

The wines of Les Talmettes lean toward freshness and elegance rather than power, a hallmark of well-sited Savigny-lès-Beaune Premiers Crus. Red wines from Pinot Noir show aromas of violet, cherry, red fruits and spice, with the stony soils adding a mineral thread through the palate. The relatively light topsoil and good drainage keep yields in check and concentrate flavour without heaviness. White wines from Chardonnay are produced here as well, though red dominates the commune's output. The style across producers is consistent: refined, mid-weight, and built for medium-term cellaring of five to ten years.

• Red wines show violet, cherry, red fruit and spice aromas
• Fresh, elegant style rather than concentrated or powerful
• Mineral thread from stony, well-drained Bathonian soils
• Both red and white wines are permitted under appellation rules

Domaine Simon Bize & Fils is the most prominently associated estate, farming a 0.80 ha parcel and producing a well-regarded bottling that helped put the cru on the map following the 2007 reclassification. Maison Joseph Drouhin brings négociant scale and consistent quality. Domaine Marguerite Carillon, Domaine Dublère, Louis Chenu and Vincent Sauvestre round out a compact but capable producer list. Given the cru's small footprint and late solo debut, releases are not abundant, making bottles worth seeking out when they appear.

• Domaine Simon Bize & Fils: leading domaine with a 0.80 ha parcel
• Maison Joseph Drouhin: major négociant with consistent representation
• Domaine Marguerite Carillon and Domaine Dublère: boutique estate producers
• Louis Chenu and Vincent Sauvestre also produce the appellation