DOMAINE DELARCHE PERNAND VERGELESSES

Description

Domaine Delarche is a family owned and run 9 hectare estate in the commune of Pernand-Vergelesses, next to the commune of Aloxe-Corton. Their vineyards are split almost 50/50 between plantings of Pinot Noir for their reds, and Aligote & Chardonnay for their whites, and are currently converting to full organic farming practices. The harvest is all done by hand over the course of 8 – 10 days, and the reds are fully destemmed. Vatting lasts between 18 and 20 days, with once-daily punch down. Their wines are aged in barrel for anywhere between 12 and 16 months depending on the expression, with 30% new oak each year.

This release is from the Premier Cru site “Les Vergelesses” which is one of just eight climats in the region that is designated as Premier Cru. The vineyards around the commune of Pernand-Vergelesses are largely (though not entirely of course) not suited to fully ripen Pinot Noir. The region is just below “Corton-Charlemange” which is among the Cote de Beaune’s most prized areas for Chardonnay. As such, Pernand-Vergelesses is most well known for its own Chardonnay, and the reds that come from here are most often of a much lighter and delicate nature.