2002 Paul Pernot Blagny La Pièce Sous le Bois

Domaine Paul Pernot et Fils is a 50-acre estate based in Puligny Montrachet. It was started in 1959 by Paul Pernot, who founded his enterprise with 25 acres that had been owned by the Pernot family for nearly 200 years. Today Paul Pernot has turned over much of the work to his three sons. The domain has two Puligny Montrachet Grand Crus, Batard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Batard-Montrachet, as well as several Premier Crus. The domaine also produces a limited amount of red wine from very old vines. Clive Coates has noted that at Domaine Paul Pernot et Fils “quality is very high…I have consistent enthusiastic notes of Pernot wines.”

Meursault is one of the trio of famous Chardonnay producing appellations in the Côte d’Or. Although both red and white wines are allowed to be produced in the Meursault appellation, 98% of Meursault is Chardonnay. With a total of 2,500 acres of vineyards, there are no Grands Crus but 325 acres of Premiers Crus, which are divided into 13 main vineyards. As wine writers have often noted, Meursault’s fame is based on its Premiers Crus, including the prestigious Les Perrières, Les Genevrières and Les Charmes. Because the water table is low in Meursault, many producers have cellars here, including Comte Lafon and Jean-Francois Coche-Dury. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote “the Premiers Crus, as well as the finest Villages Meursaults from the top vineyards, are among the easiest drinking white burgundies in the world. Why? High-quality Meursault is opulent, almost unctuous, with a fatness and a juicy, succulent, buttery, hazelnut and apple, peach-like fruitiness that often roars from the glass.”

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.