2022 Jean-Marc Pavelot Savigny-les-Beaune, Burgundy

The 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune Village, which sees no new oak, is initially quite backward, opening with red fruit laced with wild mint and loam. Just very…Savigny. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins and a keen thread of acidity. It is very harmonious and, for want of a better, what appears to be a stylish Savigny in the making. Drink: 2025 - 2034 

89-91 points Neal Martin, Vinous Nov 2023

Jean Marc Pavelot is one of the quiet masters of Savigny lès Beaune, crafting Burgundy that captures the village’s charm, perfume and earthy complexity without unnecessary polish or excess. Domaine Pavelot has been family run for generations, earning a loyal following among Burgundy lovers who appreciate wines that feel authentic, age beautifully and consistently outperform their price point. Savigny lès Beaune itself is often overlooked beside more famous neighbours, though in the right hands it delivers some of the Côte de Beaune’s most satisfying Pinot Noir.

The 2022 vintage is wonderfully expressive and open knit, balancing ripe fruit with freshness and savoury detail. Bright cherry, wild strawberry and red plum notes glide through the glass alongside rose petals, gentle spice and hints of forest floor. There is a lovely purity to the fruit, though beneath it sits the earthy, slightly rustic charm that makes Savigny so appealing. Fine tannins and lively acidity give the wine shape and energy, while subtle oak influence adds warmth and texture without dominating the vineyard character.

This is the sort of Burgundy that feels effortless at the dinner table. Roast chicken with thyme and garlic would be superb, though it also pairs beautifully with duck pâté, mushroom tart or crispy pork belly with cherry glaze. Slightly cool the bottle and it becomes dangerously drinkable, especially with a table full of charcuterie and good bread nearby. Delicious now for its freshness and charm, though it will continue to develop more savoury complexity over the next 6 to 8 years.