Simon Bize - Bourgogne Rouge Les Perrières 2018

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Vineyards planted in 1971 and 1974 on an eastern-facing slope. Surface Area: 2.20 hectares. The vineyards is located on the hillside hanging over the village of Savigny.

Simon Bize Description

There are a handful of domaines in Burgundy that we think of as almost being synonymous with their village - Domaine Simon Bize is one of them.

“Is there a more under-appreciated great Burgundy domaine these days than Domaine Simon Bize et Fils? Both the red and the white wines here are absolutely stellar (and have been for generations), and yet, I always get the sense that the Simon Bize wines remain some of the best-kept secrets in all of Burgundy.” — JOHN GILMAN

The domaine has a long history, having been founded in 1890, and farms 22 hectares of vines. Their holdings are a laundry list of Savigny-les-Beaune's best sites, from perfectly situated lieux-dits to the best premier cru parcels of the appellation. Their house style is one partial to whole cluster fermentation for the reds and little to no new oak on both whites and reds.

The domaine was founded in 1890 by Simon Bize who embarked on viticulture with a few hectares of vines in the middle of the phylloxera crisis. The estate was then passed to his son in 1918 (another Simon) who increased their holdings and then to his son (also, Simon) in 1950, who built up a portfolio of customers. But it was his son, Patrick Bize, who from 1972 took the quality of the wines to the top.

Patrick passionately defended a more classic vision of Burgundy far from what was fashionable at the time. It was this energy and fervor that attracted Becky Wasserman to his work from early in her career. After his sudden death in 2013, his wife, Chisa Bize and his sister, Marielle Grivot-Bize. His son Hugo has also recently joined the domaine.

A View from the Cellar

The 2018 Bourgogne Rouge “Perrières” was still in tank at the time of my visit and showing quite well. This is a ripe vintage for this bottling, but certainly not overripe, as it offers up a black fruity bouquet of black plums, cassis, venison, woodsmoke and a good base of soil. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and quite broad-shouldered for this cuvée, with a good, sappy core of fruit, moderate tannins and fine length and grip on the ripe and fairly powerful finish. This was one of the last vineyards picked and is probably one of the highest alcohol wines in the cellar this year, but still probably under fourteen percent. (Drink between 2020-2035)

Inside Burgundy

By Jasper Morris
2018: The Vintage Report (Côte de Beaune), 11/1/2019,

(Bourgogne Rouge Les Perrières, Domaine Simon Bize, Red) 100% stems, for bottling at the end of the year. Dense dark purple, there is a huge weight of dark ripe fruit here, really vibrant, just the right tannins, this will be a joy to drink.