2022 Domaine Chandon de Briailles, Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru, Ile des Vergelesses Rouge

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.

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.