Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru „Île des Vergelesses“ rouge 2019

Wine description for Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru „Île des Vergelesses“ rouge 2019 by Chandon de Briailles

Colour & Appearance

Luminous garnet red with youthful brilliance – a wine that already reveals its energy and precision visually.

Nose

The nose is simply bewitching: barberries, sour cherries and wild strawberries meet delicate notes of mint, myrtle and rose petals. Sandalwood and a hint of orange lend the bouquet an almost ethereal lightness, underpinned by mineral limestone, warm leaf and a trace of undergrowth. Bright, red-fruited character – quite in contrast to the darker, warmer wines from neighbouring Savigny.

Palate

On the palate, the Île des Vergelesses 2019 unfolds impressive power without any heaviness. Vibrantly mineral, threaded through with taut, invigorating acidity and carried by sour cherries, blood orange, barberry and pomegranate. The tannin structure is gripping and precise, the dry extract considerable – the wine feels remarkably crystalline and weightless.

Finish

Long, complex and herbal-fresh. A finish that lingers and makes you crave the next sip – whilst simultaneously signalling unmistakably: this wine needs more time. Those who wait will be rewarded.

Terroir & Origin

The Île des Vergelesses is the most significant Premier Cru vineyard site of Pernand-Vergelesses – regarded by many connoisseurs as secretly ranking at Grand Cru level. The terroir of gravelly and chalky red marl with high iron content at the foot of the Corton hill gives these wines their characteristic minerality and structure.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pinot Noir, sourced from vines averaging 40 years old, some over 80 years old (vintage 1938). Spontaneous fermentation in wooden vats with 100% whole-bunch content, followed by ageing under gravity in barriques and tonneaux with minimal new oak over approximately 14 months. Bottled directly from barrel with minimal sulphur addition – artisanal purity at the highest level.

Food Pairing Suggestions

The complexity and elegance of this wine demands equally worthy partners at table: venison loin with quinces and chestnuts is a classic pairing that honours both terroir and palate. Equally convincing: duck breast with braised chicory and Gratin Dauphinoise. For vegetarians, a Chettinad with porcini, shiitake and chestnut royale is recommended – the spice of the dish harmonises wonderfully with the wine’s acidity and minerality.

Special Characteristics

A wine that embodies the quiet greatness of Chandon de Briailles: consistently biodynamic, minimalist in vinification, uncompromisingly terroir-focused. The 2019 Île des Vergelesses sits seamlessly alongside the legendary 2018 – and deserves at least five to eight years of cellar rest to unfold its full brilliance.