WTN: 99 Briailles Les Vergelesses

1999 Chandon de Briailles Pernand Vergelesses Les Vergelesses

The store website indicated that this was the Ile des Vergelesses but when it arrived it was a very different wine indeed. I was quite irritated to discover that mistake but due to the low price and the various complications involved in ordering the wine, my friend (in another state) and I decided to keep our respective bottles.

Initially I found nothing but verification of my disappointment and irritation. Juicy darkish maturing wine, with hints of the sublime elegant floral and earthy aromas I know from IdV and other CdB wines. However, it never goes further than 'hints' because it remains simple simple simple. Nothing wrong with it, but nothing exciting either. I had it pegged as a fine dinner party wine for my non-wine geek friends.

But towards the end of the bottle, after several hours of air, it redeemed itself a bit by gaining a texture with more velvety silky sexiness. So, it will never be complex but maybe I don't need to rush to empty my other bottles and the vintage will win out with some seductive textures in the next few years.

Will see.

[David M. Bueker]

I have found the '99s to still be very closed and seemingly simple. This has been true for me at the village, premier and grand cru levels.

I say hands off.

I have found the '99s to still be very closed and seemingly simple. This has been true for me at the village, premier and grand cru levels.

I say hands off.

There is indeed that possibility of vintage aging curve dominating. So while this may never be as complex as the IdV, it may indeed get more interesting. Although I was slightly skeptical because on their website, CdB recommends drinking this cuvee within a few years of release. Will see.