PERNAND-VERGELESSES 1er Cru Sous Frétille 2021

Sous Frétilles would come from "below the small forest". Replanted as a village appellation in the 1970s / 1980s, it was considered one of the best. It obtained its classification as Premier Cru in 2001.

Presentation

Location
This Sous Frétilles terroir is located at the top of the hill in the village of Pernand-Vegelesses, under the protection of the Virgin "Our Lady of Good Hope" which overlooks it (a quiet place where walkers go with pleasure in good weather to admire the panorama). If the altitude varies between 320 and 380m, the terroir is made up of two parts: one facing South / South East, while the small part is turned more South / South West.
Surface area of the terroir: 6ha 05a 66ca
Terroir
Sous Frétilles is located a stone's throw from Corton Charlemagne. The soils are made up of fairly shallow and stony limestone marls, ideal conditions for Chardonnay.
In the vineyard
Control method: Integrated control (HVE level 3), surface tillage because of the risk of erosion.
Manual harvest: 100%
Vinification
At their arrival in our cellar, the grapes are carefully sorted in order to keep only the healthy grapes at an optimal ripeness
50 % destemmed grappes, 50% whole berries
Finning: yes
Filtration : yes
Ageing
12 months of aging (including 4 months of mass assembly)
100% in barrels (including 20% new barrels)
Varietals
Chardonnay : 100%
Specifications
Alcohol content: 14 ABV
Age of vines: 36 years old

Advice

Serving
Serving temperature : 10-12°C
Should be drunk between 2021 and 2026
Tasting
Strong personality for this wine which expresses both all the subtleties of limestone (candied lemon, bergamot, saline and iodine), but also notes of white and fruity flowers (especially citrus).
Food pairings
It goes well with goat's cheese and almond crostini, a chanterelle tart or even pan-fried turbot.

Reviews

91pts
"The figures read 3.05 pH and 13% alcohol, a great balance. Another fine pale lemon colour. Very perfumed with a finesse which impresses. Pretty, fresh fruit and some floral notes, before a long saline finish though actually it remains fruit first."
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"Here the nose is higher toned and faintly sweeter. A touch more gas – more width, melting wth flavour. Still the reductive style. Bravo finishing – ooh that’s explosive and great – you don’t often get that in a grand cru! Bravo!"
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