2021 Pernand-Vergelesses Blanc, Domaine Rollin Père & Fils, Burgundy

Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or. Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.

Pernand-Vergelesses is a beautiful village tucked away behind the hill of Corton, and an excellent source for fine Burgundy at a relatively affordable price. Jadot have registered their own name, Le Clos de la Croix de Pierre, in a vineyard that faces the mighty hill. The lower part of the slope is an excellent site for Pinot Noir, while whites are grown on lighter soils higher up.

This is a fourth-generation domaine, Raymond Rollin having been joined by his son Maurice in 1955, followed by Rémi from 1976 and Simon from 2003. The vineyard holdings stretch as far as neighbouring Aloxe, Savigny and Chorey, but the core of the domaine is in Pernand-Vergelesses including white premier cru Sous Frétille and reds Vergelesses, Fichots and Ile de Vergelesses. There is also 0.42 hectare of Corton-Charlemagne. This is a sound source of long-lived wines in both colours. Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director and author of the award-winning Inside Burgundy comprehensive handbook.