Viniou Reviews
Domaine Chandon de Briailles’ Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru "Île des Vergelesses" 2022 is an exquisite red Burgundy crafted exclusively from Pinot Noir. This Premier Cru site is renowned for its exceptional terroir, with vineyards oriented towards the east and north-east, benefitting from cool morning sunlight that preserves freshness in the grapes. The 2022 vintage, marked by a warm yet well-balanced season in Burgundy, gives the wine ripe red fruit aromatics alongside an elegant structure. Domaine Chandon de Briailles, a historic estate working under biodynamic principles, carefully selects fruit to express the purity and finesse inherent to this terroir. Vinified traditionally, often with a significant proportion of whole clusters, the resulting wine is vibrant, perfumed, and finely textured, with notes of wild strawberry, raspberry, delicate spices, and a subtle floral touch.
Situated in the northern part of the Côte de Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses is famous for its distinctive slopes and marl-limestone soils. These soils lend the wine a unique minerality and silky tannic framework, blending power with restraint. The region’s relatively cool microclimate, protected by the hill of Corton, helps the Pinot Noir retain acidity and express lively aromatics, while the deep-rooted viticultural history ensures that tradition and modernity are seamlessly unified.
Pair this highly expressive wine with delicately prepared meats, such as roast duck breast with a cherry reduction, or a classic coq au vin. It also shines alongside pan-fried duck liver or dishes featuring earthy ingredients like wild mushrooms or lentils. For an authentically Burgundian pairing, serve with oeufs en meurette or tender beef bourguignon, allowing the wine’s bright acidity and refined tannins to cleanse the palate.
For optimal enjoyment, serve this Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru at 15-16°C, ideally after a brief decantation to reveal its full aromatic complexity. It can be enjoyed now for its youthful brightness or cellared for 5-8 years to develop further complexity and harmony.
