Our tasting impressions
I'll share my little secret, of the three excellent Cortons at this address, the Perrières is my favorite. Funny, thing is, I am not entirely sure why. It's not as sexy as Bressandes or as regal as Clos du Roi. Maybe what the French call Je ne sais quoi... Sure it leans rustic but I find it expressive and transparent. 2016 no exception (though the Roi is one for the ages). Just an excellent wine in need of a good bit of cellar time and patience.
About this wine
100% Pinot Noir from vines averaging 35 years old. The grapes are harvested by hand, sorted and de-stemmed. The 18-day fermentation is in stainless steel vats with punching down occurring twice a day. The wine spends 20 months in oak barrels, 30% of which are new. Annual production is 2,000 bottles, the fewest of the Domaine’s Grand Cru Cortons.
About the grape
Pinot Noir is an ancient grape from eastern France. Notoriously challenging, it thrives in cooler climates. The concept of terroir is most closely identified with Burgundy because the lightness of Pinot Noir enables it to so transparently express minor differences (which is why experienced tasters can discern the difference in wines produced from vineyards in very close proximity). Intense popularity resulted in plantings all over the world but most agree that its finest expression is in the Côte d’Or of Burgundy.
Christine's view of the vintage
2016, a miracle vintage?, perhaps. Tiny production but concentrated and fine. Less ripe and probably better balance than 2015. Pernand was hit with frost on April 27th and we lost about 80% of the crop. The vines just stopped growing, not showing life until June. Beginning in July, the weather was super and suddenly the vines looked great - but we had no fruit! -at best, one cluster per vine. The Chardonnay was decimated but the Pinot in Corton and Pommard was lovely and unfazed. Ultimately, we had less than half a typical harvest and only a third for whites. But the quality is excellent. Everything fermented quickly, particularly the Pinot.
On your table…
I vote for slow roasted pork shoulder with nothing but salt and pepper and a second helping of crispy skin.
Christine Dubreuil is a fifth-generation winemaker and owner of this Domaine located in Pernand-Vergelesses. Her wines are elegant, charming, and delicious - each wonderfully depicting its vineyard.
The Domaine makes more than 20 different wines. The 20-hectare estate is sizable, by VDLT standards and generates close to 100,000 bottles per year.
Christine is a leader in supporting women winemakers. Her daughter Clémentine, who is training with mom, appears to be following in her footsteps.
Chief has known Christine and her family for many years. They have spent many wonderful evenings enjoying great food and splendid older vintages from the Dubreuil-Fontaine cellar.
