Chandon De Briailles Pernand Vergelesses Rouge Ile Des Vergelesses 2022 (750ml)

Producer's Notes

François de Nicolay succinctly described the 2022 growing season as 'hot and dry but with no disease pressure to speak of which always makes things easier to manage. However fruit maturities spiked at the end and it was necessary to be everywhere at once and the only way to do that was to double the number of harvesters! We picked from the 25th of August to the 10th of September and brought in ripe and clean fruit that averaged between 30 and 35 hl/ha in pinot. Potential alcohols were good but reasonable ranging as they did from 13 to 13.5%. We used 100% whole clusters and had no trouble with the fermentations finishing cleanly before racking to barrel where only 10% of the wood was new. As to the wines they're certainly ripe yet wonderfully fresh vibrant and transparent to the underlying terroir. It's a lovely vintage that should age exceptionally well.' De Nicolay explained that they have decided to change the élevage period for the whites to between 24 and 30 months and to wait one year before commercializing the reds. I would add that there are some excellent wines here in 2022 and many are worth your attention when they are eventually released. Note that de Nicolas said a portion of the 2022 reds were bottled between August and December 2023.' 'According to Claude de Nicolay the east-facing slopes of the Ile des Vergelesses provide a marvellous terroir for Pinot Noir. She has 2.80 hectares in Pinot and 1.20ha in Chardonnay. Her favourite block is the hectare of vines planted in the 1960s. This old-vine massale selection vine material is the jewel and has given a forward supple wine with aromas of black cherry and plum. The texture is lithe and easy yet there is enough tannin on the finish to convince us to age it — a delight.'' 'A vague hint of menthol is present on the ripe and fresh aromas of black cherry plum newly turned earth and a hint of the sauvage. The sleek intense and beautifully detailed flavors aren't quite as mineral-driven but there is even better depth and persistence on the balanced and youthfully austere finale. Excellent development potential here.' 'Always the insider's choice at this address the 2022 Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Ile de Vergelesses unwinds in the glass with aromas of sweet cherries and plums mingled with rose petals and licorice. Medium to full-bodied ample and velvety with a fleshy core of fruit that nicely cloaks its fine but chalky structuring tannins it exhibits excellent potential.'' 'The 2022 Pernand-Vergelesses Ile de Vergelesses 1er Cru came directly from a barrel that had not been racked. This explains why it is quite backward on the nose with touches of blackberry and bilberry quite a heightened marine influence and hints of oyster shell coming through with time. The medium-bodied palate has impressive volume and fine tannins a little fleshier than Chandon des Briailles' other cuvées with a bright slightly peppery finish. This is contemporary Pernand firing on all cylinders. (Drink between 2026-2042)'