2021 Domaine Chanson Les Vergelesses Premier Cru Pernand-Vergelesses 750 ml

When we want value in the Côte de Beaune—whether we’re looking for village, Premier Cru, or Grand Cru experiences, we head straight to Pernand-Vergelesses, at the foot of the hill of Corton. There’s just more wine for your money packed in that bottle than almost anywhere else on the Golden Slope.

Domaine Chanson’s 2021 Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru Les Vergelesses is proof positive. Les Vergelesses was so beloved by the commune of Pernand that they appended it to their village name, à la Chambolle-Musigny or Gevrey-Chambertin. A bottle of Le Musigny or Le Chambertin will run you more than $500, but this silky, perfumed bottle of Burgundy is nowhere near $100. 

Chanson is one of Burgundy’s oldest estates, founded in 1750, and it’s telling that they’re one of just six from the 18th century that still survives today. They’ve prioritized quality in the vineyard and the cellar, acquiring 111 acres of vines scattered across the region, which allows them access to the best grapes in any season—and to deliver value that younger producers can’t match.

The 2021 was made using 100% whole-cluster fermentation, a rare technique in Burgundy these days. It pays off though, with a captivating bouquet of red berries, including raspberries and wild strawberries, intertwined with delicate floral notes of violet and rose petal. Subtle hints of earth and spice add complexity, reflecting the wine’s terroir and the whole-cluster fermentation. The result is a Premier Cru bottling that can easily hang with much more expensive bottles on your table this season. We had to have it.