Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru “Île des Vergelesses” blanc 2019

The Domaine Chandon de Briailles was founded in Savigny les Beaune in 1834 and has been run by François de Nicolay and his sister Claude since 2001. Since 1998, the vineyard had already been worked exclusively organically until 2005, when the next step followed to convert to biodynamics. Chandon de Briailles has been fully biodynamically certified since 2011, cultivates 14 hectares of its own land and is planted exclusively with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Premier Cru site Île de Vergelesses is considered the best of the four top sites in Pernand-Vergelesses. The site has an eastern exposure and faces Corton-Charlemagne opposite. The vines are on a medium slope and the soil is a mixture of clay and limestone with medium depth, making for an exceptional terroir. The vines were planted in 1985 and 1991 and have an average age of 40 years. After a hot summer with a humid finish, the grapes were harvested by 12 September with perfect ripeness.

Bright straw yellow, bright and clear.

The nose is astonishingly fruity for a Pernand Vergelesses, with notes of yellow pear skin and fully ripe pineapple. In addition, there are the typical aromas of wet chalk and oyster shell, all firmly framed by the skilful use of wood, which, after sufficient aeration, reminds one of nutshells. A noble Burgundy with a captivatingly juicy profile that curiously makes the lips purse towards the goblets.

The 2019 Île des Vergelesses 1er Cru from Domaine Chandon de Briailles delivers with direct response and presents itself in perfect balance of maturation, fruit and minerality. Full-bodied and firm, it immediately builds up good thrust, mouth-filling and powerful, it is fuelled by saline minerality, which has been beautifully shaped in new wood and combines depth with light-footed finesse. The ripe, long-swinging acidity spans the aromatic arc from the start to the fruity-saline finish.