The Maurice Ecard Estate
The Domaine dates back to before 1789 and produces some of the best Premiers Crus in Savigny. Owner Maurice Ecard, who is now retired, was considered by many experts to be the father of the appellation.
His wines are now produced by Vincent Sauvestere. Vincent's paternal family has been firmly established in Meursault since the 18th Century. His father and grandfather were both "Maitres de Chais" for one of the most prestigious Wine Houses in the heart of Meursault. Vincent's father, Roger, created his own company in the early fifties with the acquisition of a Wine Merchant founded in 1891. He also had his own vines, inherited from his mother. In 1988, Roger handed over the running of the company to Vincent. When Vincent, born in Nuits Saint Georges in 1961, took control of the Domaine, it consisted of only 6 hectares (14.81 acres) of vines. Today the Domaine covers 40 hectares (98.77 acres) from Chablis to Meursault. In addition, Vincent has acquired other viticultural Domaines in Chablis, the Côte Chalonnaise and recently in the Rhone Valley.
The Domaine is proud to possess two Grand Cru wines, Corton Charlemagne & Corton Marechaudes, as well as twelve Premiers Cru wines. Through his family's traditional winemaking skills, passed down from generation to generation, and his years of oenological studies, Vincent now advocates:
- Expression of the unique terroir characteristics from each individual vineyard by using traditional winemaking methods.
- Well structured and easy drinking Burgundies :
- Pleasing to the eye
- Soft and supple flavors
- Lingering aftertaste with excellent ageing attributes.
Vincent's constant aim is quality and respect for all wines.
The Maurice Ecard Vineyard
Th domaine is cultivated through organic methods and produces wines that purely and distinctly reflect the terroir. The Premiers Crus include: "Narbantons", "Jarrons", "Serpentieres", "Peuillets" and "Les Clous". The yields are never over 35 hl/ha. The vines are pruned and, when fully mature, harvested by manual selection. Vinification involves 75 to 100% destemming, a classic fermentation, pigeage, racking of the gross lees, 15-18 months in oak (15% new from Damy).
Maurice Ecard Savigny Beaune 1er Cru Narbantons is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir
Reduced yields from severe springtime pruning, fully mature harvest and manual selection and sorting. Vinification involves partial destemming, classic fermentation, pigeage, racking of the gross lees.
The wine offers black cherry fruits on the nose. Rich and full bodied with a beautiful texture. Flavorful.
Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers.
Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks.
Klaus sits adjacent to Achleiten and is one of the Wachau’s most famous vineyards for Riesling. The vineyard is incredibly steep with a gradient of 77% at its steepest point. The southeast-facing terraced vineyard of dark migmatite-amphibolite and paragneiss produces a tightly wound and powerful wine. The parcel belonging to Toni Bodenstein was planted in 1952.
Tasting Notes:
Austrian Riesling is often defined by elevated levels of dry extract thanks to a lengthy ripening period and freshness due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night. “Klaus is not a charming Riesling,” says Toni Bodenstein with a wink. Klaus is Prager’s most assertive and robust Riesling.
Food Pairing
Riesling’s high acidity makes it one of the most versatile wines at the table. Riesling can be used to cut the fattiness of foods such as pork or sausages and can tame some saltiness. Conversely, it can highlight foods such as fish or vegetables in the same way a squeeze of lemon or a vinaigrette might.
Review:
Superbly cool, restrained and refined, this austere, beautiful dry riesling is a slow-burn masterpiece that's only just beginning to reveal its complex white-peach, white-tea, wild-herb and dark-berry character. Super-long and mineral finish. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
Turley Pesenti Zinfandel is made from 100 percent Zinfandel.
Deeply perfumed and enthralling nose of ripe red fruits, high-toned spices, orange zest, and an almost minty crushed chalk. Palate is smooth, lush, energetic, and pure, with a smack of well-toned acidity, satiating structure, and a long, precise finish.
Reviews:
A briar patch in a glass, this Zin is tightly focused and energetic, with flavors of wild berries, underbrush, espresso and pepper that build tension toward broad-shouldered tannins.
-Wine Spectator 93 Points
The 2022 Zinfandel Pesenti Vineyard is a very pretty wine, and also surprisingly delicate for Paso. Medium in body, with terrific nuance, the Pesenti is super-expressive in this vintage. Crushed flowers, blood orange and cedar overtones linger on the aromatic, finessed finish.
-Vinous 92-94 Points