2005 Domaine Patrick Javillier Savigny-les-Beaune Les Serpentieres 1er Cru

This fastidious grower is quite a household name for flinty Mersault whites, but he has plots of red as well (belonging to his wife’s family, I believe), notably in Corton and Savigny-les-Beaune. I cracked open one of three bottles of 2005 Domaine Patrick Javillier Savigny-les-Beaune Les Serpentieres 1er Cru, bought about 3 years ago from Le Benaton for only SGD53 each, over dinner with the wifey at Jade Palace last night as I was curious to get an impression of this wine. Popped and poured, showing a classic pinot tint, slightly dull. A generous bouquet of red cherries wafted across that was reinforced on the palate, though initially a tad heavy for pinot noir without any secondary development. Things became interesting an hour later as the wine really opened up to reveal notes of other red fruits and raspberries, fresh and bright, more remarkable for its excellent balance and concentration than outright opulence or depth, with plenty of spine and flavour but rather lean in the mid-body, missing the oily texture of great Burgundy. This is really quite fine and enjoyable, but I’m not touching my remaining two bottles for another 5 years, at least.