Viniou Reviews
Domaine Chandon de Briailles’ Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru “Île des Vergelesses” 2020 is a superb white Burgundy, crafted exclusively from Chardonnay grapes. The 2020 vintage was marked by warm, dry conditions, which contributed to excellent maturity and concentration in the fruit. Sourced from the renowned Premier Cru vineyard “Île des Vergelesses,” the wine benefits from a remarkable terroir: predominantly clay-limestone soils, ideally situated for producing whites with both minerality and depth. The domaine is a standard-bearer in biodynamic cultivation, resulting in a wine of precision, purity, and expressive character. Gentle vinification, careful barrel ageing, and minimal sulphur usage further underscore the vineyard’s personality, yielding a wine of vibrant freshness aligned with the house’s elegant style.
Pernand-Vergelesses is tucked away at the northern tip of the Côte de Beaune, just adjacent to appellations like Savigny-lès-Beaune and Aloxe-Corton. The village is noted for its amphitheatre-like slopes, offering brilliant exposition and varied soils that contribute significantly to the finesse of its wines. The Côte de Beaune in general is famed for its cool continental climate, accentuating freshness and minerality in its whites, while the region’s historical reputation as a cradle of great Chardonnay remains unchallenged. Pernand-Vergelesses, often underrated, is celebrated for its capacity to produce whites that rival those of neighbouring appellations in purity, longevity, and complexity – particularly in the Premier Cru sector.
This nuanced and citrus-edged Burgundy will pair beautifully with refined dishes such as sautéed scallops, turbot in beurre blanc, or a classic poultry dish with morels and cream. Regional pairings like escargots in garlic butter or a well-aged Comté cheese will also showcase its mineral backbone and vibrant acidity. For vegetarians, a risotto with asparagus or a creamy mushroom fricassée would be excellent companions.
To fully appreciate its subtlety and complexity, serve this wine cool but not cold, ideally around 11-13°C. Decanting for twenty to thirty minutes may help reveal its unfolding aromas and textural elegance. If cellared, the 2020 vintage promises several rewarding years of graceful evolution.
