You could consider Seiichi Saito a sort of mico-negociant - he's got a small section of his own vineyards in the "streets with no names" of sorts...that is, not the famous vineyards of La Tache and Romanee-Conti, but on the slopes of the Haute Cotes-de-Nuits and other remote regions; he also purchases fruit from friends with whom he shares a vision on farming. You can feel the passion in the wines - they are textural, full of soul and not the oaky style of Burgundy we got to know for so long. The wines are perfectly ripe and supple, but oozing with personality and minerality.
In terms of vinification, he is fond of whole cluster for reds, prefers to limit extraction with pump-overs and a few, gentle punch-downs towards the end of alcoholic fermentation, uses minimal SO2 during or post élevage, or prior to bottling. He very rarely adds SO2 at vinification, and prefers to bottle without fining or filtration.
Offering up aromas of sweet cherries, plums and licorice, the 2022 Savigny-lès-Beaune 1er Cru Les Lavières is medium to full-bodied, broad and charming, with a sweet, fleshy core of fruit that largely conceals its supple structuring tannins.