Domaine Chandon de Briailles Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru Ile de Vergelesses AOC Blanc 2019

A very aromatic, soft fruity-mineral wine Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru "Ile de Vergelesses" is produced from Chardonnay grapes grown on the "Ile de Vergelesses" Premier Cru vineyard in the Pernand-Vergelesses appellation. Warm sunny days alternating with cooler nights contribute to a slow ripening, allowing the grapes to retain acidity while developing flavor intensity. Here, limestone-rich soils, rich in iron, prevail, although the upper slope consists of clay marl and more gravelly soil below. This soil has good drainage properties, protecting the vines from excessive water, which helps reduce fungal diseases and rot, limiting the growth of foliage that consumes a lot of energy. Instead, the preserved strength and energy of the vines go into producing high-quality grapes. The "Ile de Vergelesses" vineyard is the most likely candidate in the commune for Grand Cru status, and since Pernand-Vergelesses is one of the lesser-known names in Côte de Beaune, the "Ile des Vergelesses" Premier Cru wines can offer good value for money. The harvest is carefully sorted when the berries reach optimal ripeness. The grapes undergo gentle pressing using a pneumatic press. The resulting must is settled for the next 2 days, then it is transferred to 200-liter barrels, where fermentation occurs at a temperature not exceeding 22 °C, allowing the wine's fresh aroma and character to be preserved. After fermentation, the wine is placed in the cellar for final aging. The mild winter of 2019 prompted an early start to the growing cycle in late March. Fortunately, April and May were quite cool, which delayed bud break and slowed the overall rapid development of the vines. After a vigorous flowering, thanks to favorable weather, the vine grew very quickly. July and August were hot and dry, but several storms at the end of July helped avoid water stress. Early September was very hot, so the harvest began earlier than planned. The 2019 vintage produced wines that are rich, pure, and concentrated, yet with remarkable freshness and balance.