2015 Simon Bize Savigny les Beaune 1er cru Forneaux

Another jaw dropping wine of pure finesse, the Forneaux was smokin’ good the day I tasted. Terribly fine and delicate, its sense of soothing zen beauty is again one of the reasons that I point out the marked elegance and gracefulness of the ’14s here, moreso than I am accustomed to finding. Is it just ’14, or is it Chisa, or both? No matter how or why, this is all about stirring and delicate beauty and then some…..Another little star here.

“The 2014 Fourneaux from Domaine Bize is another superb Savigny premier cru in the making, delivering a fine aromatic constellation of red and black cherries, woodsmoke, venison, coffee, a fine signature of soil and some brown spice tones in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and notably suave on the attack (particularly for a young example of Fourneaux), with a nice core of sappy fruit, fine transparency, ripe tannins and excellent focus and balance on the very long and promising finish. This is a beautiful and utterly classic example of Fourneaux in the making and yet another outstanding Domaine Bize premier cru in 2014. The wine should start to stir a couple of years earlier than the Serpentières, but prove to be every bit as ageworthy. 2022-2060. 92+.” John Gilman