Visit to Domaine Pierre Guillemot – Tasting the 2021s

New? What is new? Well, Domaine Pierre Guillemot is new to me, and as such both a positive surprise and a true delight. This is definitely an estate to look for, and one of my finer discoveries in 2022.

Domaine Pierre Guillemot is located in the very core of Savigny-les-Beaune, and is a small/average estate, producing wines from eight hectares.

It’s an exciting domaine, making forwardly fruity wines with a good percentage of whole clusters included in fermentation and limited sulphur levels. Even more important is the long, cold, pre-fermentation – ten days – that encourages the emergence of delicate floral notes. I love floral wines.

The 2021 vintage is perhaps not the best one from which to taste these wines, as the level of whole-cluster inclusion was often limited due to the grapes’ (relatively) poor sanitary condition and less-than-ideal stem ripeness.

The domaine

Domaine Pierre Guillemot was established in 1946 by the grandfather of the current generation, the brothers Vincent (cellar) and Pierre (vineyard) who run the show. The estate is certified organic, and its style is modern and vivid, with tremendous wines even in 2021 – a vintage that continues to surprise on the upside.

Let’s see what all the (my) fuss is about!

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Bourgogne Hautes Cote de Beaune Blanc 2021

For this level, it is a deep, intense chardonnay, using old white barrels from Domaine de la Romanee-Conti to give it a boost. Well made, with a good hint of hedonism.

(Drink from 2023) – Very Good – (87-88p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Dessus le Gollardes Blanc 2021

This is a deeper, more complex wine, made from 70% pinot blanc and 30% chardonnay. It has lovely balance (we Nuitons like the pinot blanc kick), with deeper acidity and fruit, and a slightly honeyed note from the chardonnay. Lively, with fine salinity.

(Drink from 2023) – Very Good – (88-89p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2021

The Bourgogne Cote d’Or is a lovely introduction to the estate style, and a tremendous wine for this level. The style has an inviting generosity of ripe fruit and floral joy that is instantly appealing and provokes an urge to taste. The oak impression is light (20% new), and is just enough to support the structure. Rich, velvety, yet delicate, I love this style.

(Drink from 2023) – Very Good – (87-88p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune 2021

It is quite a step up to the Savigny village, with its deep, intense fruit that comes from slightly deeper soil. This is intense for the vintage and appellation, and the fruit is magnificent for 2021. It’s in the style of the domaine, meaning vivid and lively, with the cold-soak floral notes giving joy, and the whole clusters silkiness. A true delight.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good – (87-88p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Narbantons 1er cru 2021

The Savigny Narbantons is richer and even more velvety with its intense, cold-soak-enhanced fruit. There are magnificent notes of red and dark fruits, and despite a slightly reduced element, it really shows its charm. Narbantons is on the south side of the stream (the Rhoin) and the village. (Just trying elevate my – and your – knowledge of the appellation).

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good – (88-89p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Les Jarrons 1er Cru 2021

From the same side, but above Narbantons, this is connected to the better-known Les Dominodes. This vineyard can be sold under either name (Jarrons/Dominode), but the Guillemot estate chose the original and more correct Jarrons. The wine is deep and elegant, fresh, vivid, and with some intense tension to the lush fruit. It’s difficult to choose between these Savigny crus; do you prefer vivacity or intensity?

(Drink from 2029) – Very Good – (89p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Aux Gravins 1er Cru 2021

This, however, has however the full Monty: gorgeous liveliness and energy. For the vintage, it’s rich, vivid, and hedonistic. I love the expression and its forward generosity. On the northern side of the village, it benefitted from better exposure in a cool vintage like 2021. Je l’adore.

(Drink from 2027) – Fine – (91-92p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Savigny-les-Beaune Les Serpentieres 1er Cru 2021

Also north of the village, slightly deeper into the valley than Gravins, this is from a deeper, bigger terroir than the other 1ers crus. Slightly more austere than Gravins in this cool year, this is clearly a wine for keeping (the 1977 tasted on the same visit showed this terroir’s ability to age). I prefer the Gravins currently, but who knows in the long run or a hotter year?

(Drink from 2028) – Very Good – (90-91p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –

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Domaine Pierre Guillemot Corton Rognets

As expected, the Corton here is a treat, with the vinification perfect for the Corton hill’s slightly austere, sometimes even grumpy character. In my view, Corton needs an expressive vinification, with preferably some whole clusters, to express its full hedonism. Guillemot achieved just this, with its generous style. This is rich, vivacious, airy, and light-footed – such a treat! Even hints of pink and white roses are gracing this sterling example from big hill.

(Drink from 2035) – Outstanding – (95p) – Tasted 14/11/2022 –