Pernand’s five Pinot 1er Crus are all south of the village, close to the Corton hill. Like all villages of the Côte d-Or, Pernand chose to suffix the name of its best vineyard, in this case the east-facing Les Vergelesses. Chandon de Briailles has 1.22 hectares in the Bas-Vergelesses section of this vineyard. This is the same vineyard, by the way, that continues into neighbouring Savigny-lès-Beaune (where it is then called Aux Vergelesses). The soil here—stony on the upper part of the plot and clay-dominant at the bottom—is iron-rich and gives an intense and complex wine, often with smoky, currant-like fruit. From a plot of 1956 vines, the 2017 retained 75% whole bunches.
Outstanding. An earthy and distinctly gamey nose of forest floor, red pinot and cassis aromas is trimmed in just enough wood to notice. The delicious, vibrant and sleekly textured medium-bodied flavors possess slightly better mid-palate density, all wrapped in a focused, powerful and mildly rustic finale. Good quality here in a wine that should reward mid-term cellaring.