Champy : Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Les Fichots" 2010

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Fichots" 2010 from Champy

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue with violet highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals fine aromatic intensity, with delicious floral notes and black fruit aromas such as blackcurrant and blackberry, accompanied by nuances of red fruits like cherry and raspberry. Mineral touches of graphite and chalk mingle with subtle notes of leather, reflecting the clay-limestone terroir. With aeration, spicy aromas of pepper and licorice emerge, complemented by delicate toasty notes from aging in French oak barrels.

Palate

The attack is clean and silky, revealing a medium-bodied structure. Black-fruit flavors dominate the palate, supported by silky, well-integrated tannins. Minerality brings freshness and definition to the whole, while balanced acidity lends the wine elegance. The finish is of moderate to good length, with persistent fruity and mineral notes, accompanied by a light tannic grip that invites you to continue tasting.

Food and wine pairings

This Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Fichots" 2010 pairs perfectly with grilled red meats such as rib steak, as well as feathered game preparations like pheasant, pigeon, or rabbit served with light sauces. It also matches very well with moderately assertive aged cheeses such as Comté or Reblochon.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Fichots" 2010 at a temperature between 14 and 16°C. Decanting for fifteen to thirty minutes before serving will allow the wine to open fully and reveal its full aromatic complexity. This wine can be enjoyed now and will continue to evolve through to around 2030.

A mineral, structured Burgundy Premier Cru crafted by Beaune’s oldest Maison

The estate

Founded in 1720 by Edme Champy, a master cooper, the Champy Maison is Beaune and Burgundy’s oldest wine merchant and producer. Based in the heart of Beaune in buildings listed as historic monuments, the Maison worked with Louis Pasteur in the 1860s on his research into wine preservation. Now owned by the AdVini group since 2016, Champy farms around twenty-two hectares of vines in the most prestigious appellations of the Côte de Beaune. Under the technical direction of Dimitri Bazas, an oenologist since 1999, and the general management of Jean-Baptiste Mouton since 2023, the Maison carries on three centuries of expertise. Committed to environmentally respectful viticulture, Champy converted its vineyards to organic farming as early as 2007, with certification obtained in 2010. In 2021, the estate was awarded the Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label, recognizing the excellence of its traditional artisanal methods.

The vineyard

The Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Fichots" comes from a climat located in the extension of the Vergelesses complex, mid-slope, with a southeast exposure. This terroir benefits from an altitude between 250 and 350 meters and lies on clay-limestone soils rich in siliceous and mineral elements. This geological composition gives the wines a particularly pronounced mineral expression and a dense structure. The Pernand-Vergelesses vines are farmed according to organic and biodynamic principles, promoting soil health and the authentic expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2010 vintage in Burgundy was marked by contrasting weather conditions. A harsh winter, with temperatures dropping to as low as -20°C, was followed by a spring of variable temperatures. A particularly cool and cloudy May led to shatter and millerandage during flowering, significantly reducing yields. Summer alternated between warm and cool periods, while August and September, though relatively cool, allowed for gradual ripening of the grapes. Harvest took place in late September and early October under favorable weather conditions. This extended, cool growing season encouraged the development of fine aromatic intensity and an excellent balance between concentration and natural acidity.

Winemaking and aging

The Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Les Fichots" 2010 was produced using traditional Burgundian methods. After manual harvesting to preserve the integrity of the grapes, a cold pre-fermentation maceration helped extract aromatic and phenolic compounds. Fermentation took place in open vats with indigenous yeasts, allowing a natural expression of the terroir. Aging was carried out in French oak barrels for twelve to fifteen months, providing delicate structure without masking the wine’s character. The historic cellars of Maison Champy, crossed by a small underground stream, benefit from natural regulation of temperature and humidity, creating ideal conditions for aging.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir