2008 Louis Jadot Domaine des Héritiers Pernand Vergelesses (En Caradeux) Clos de la Croix Pierre Rouge

Maison Louis Jadot is one of Burgundy’s most respected negociants. Founded in 1859 by the Jadot family, the prestige and quality of the estate’s wines were well established in the 19th century. The family continued buying highly desirable vineyards in the 20th century. In 1985 the estate was sold to Rudy Kopf, Jadot’s American importer. Located in Beaune, the estate has 336 acres of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Gamay. Though all the maison’s wines are known for their high quality, signature wines are the Bonnes Mares, Chambertin-Close de Beze, Chevalier-Montrachet les Demoiselles, Corton-Charlemagne, Le Montrachet and Musigny. Pierre-Henry Gagey is president.

Pernand-Vergelesses is an 870-acre appellation sometimes overshadowed by its famous neighbor to the east, Aloxe-Corton. Depending on the time of the day, Le Montagne de Corton literally casts a shadow over of the village of Pernand-Vergelesses, which has fewer than 400 people. Pernand-Vergelesses appellation wines can be red or white, and its most renowned wines are the Grand Crus it shares with its neighbor Aloxe-Corton. About 25% of the Grand Cru vineyard Corton-Charlemagne is within the Pernand-Vergelesses appellation. There are six Premiers Crus, they produce much of the wine of Pernand-Vergelesses and nearly 75% of what they produce is Pinot Noir. Many of the vineyards face northeast, meaning that inhospitable weather can be particularly challenging for growers. Robert M. Parker Jr. notes “in good vintages a top Premier Cru Pernand-Vergelesses will be a relatively rich, rustic, concentrated wine that is often compared to that of its nearby neighbor, Savigny-Lès-Beaune.”

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.