Domaine Pernot-Belicard, Puligny-Montrachet 1er Cru Les Perrieres 2017

Produced from Chardonnay grapes grown under the lutte raisonnèe regime from 60-year-old vines, in the 0.53Ha vineyard owned by Premier Cru Les Perrieres, in Puligny-Montrachet. In the cellar the wines of the Domaine Pernot Belicard are vinified in the traditional way, by carrying out alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in a Burgundian piece (35% new), where they stay for a year. Before bottling the wines rest in steel tanks for a further six months. Expected very light filtration before bottling

Philippe Pernots father still runs the famous 17-hectare family domaine in Puligny-Montrachet. Some time in the future he will inherit his third of the domaine, but for now he is concentrating on the 6 hectares of vines that make up Pernot-Belicard, the domaine that came from his marriage to Mademoiselle Belicard. Her father was more of a fruit grower than winemaker and sold off most of what he produced. In contrast, Philippe is more interested in bottling under his own name and has let contracts with negociants run their course, allowing him to hold onto much more of his fruit. His first vintage was as recent as 2009, and the quality of wine has progressed with each subsequent vintage. The old vine cuvee of Meursault is produced from especially old vines (around 70 years), but there are plenty of old vines throughout the domaine. He has an enviable array of vineyards at his disposal with a welcome smattering of old vines. New oak is kept well under control and Philippe is looking to allow the subtle terroir differences of his wines to flourish. His wines are pure, balanced and harmonious.His top vineyard site in Puligny - 1er Cru Perrieres (sandwiched between Referts and Clos de La Mouchere) is his best wine to date.