Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Pernand-Vergelesses 1er cru "Fichots" 2021

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Fichots" 2021 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Appearance

The color reveals a deep ruby hue with violet highlights, reflecting the wine’s youth and concentration.

Nose

The nose unveils a delicate, complex aromatic profile, combining notes of strawberry, raspberry and violet. Distinctive mineral nuances of graphite and charcoal round out the bouquet, echoing the clay-limestone geology that typifies this terroir. A few smoky, subtly oaked touches add further dimension to the whole.

Palate

On the palate, the wine is inviting and supple, opening with an attack marked by tension and minerality. Red fruit expresses itself with restraint, giving way to the mineral sensations that define this cuvée. The tannic structure shows slightly firm tannins on the finish—typical of the appellation—which will soften with a few years in bottle. The length is generous and well-balanced, with a fresh, mineral finish.

Food and wine pairings

This Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Fichots" 2021 pairs ideally with red meats and braised poultry, such as poularde à la bourguignonne. It also beautifully complements feathered game such as duck or goose, as well as meats in sauce. Aged cheeses from Burgundy, notably Époisses or Langres, also find fine harmony with this wine.

Serving and cellaring

The Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Fichots" 2021 should be served at a temperature between 17 and 19°C. Light aeration before serving will allow its full aromatic range to unfold. This wine can be enjoyed until around 2030, with optimal development between 2024 and 2026.

A Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru combining minerality and Burgundian elegance

The estate

Founded in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, fifth-generation winegrower from Volnay, Domaine Nicolas Rossignol now spans 17 hectares across five prestigious communes in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy: Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. After merging in 2011 with the family estate Rossignol-Jeanniard, Nicolas Rossignol now runs the property from modern facilities in Beaune. The estate stands out for its terroir-respectful approach, combining sustainable viticulture inspired by biodynamics, entirely hand-harvested grapes, and vinification focused on finesse and pure fruit expression.

The vineyard

The climat "Les Fichots" lies just below the Grand Cru Corton, in the commune of Pernand-Vergelesses. The plots are planted mid-slope on deep clay-limestone soils rich in minerals. This position strikes a balance between sun exposure and freshness, giving the wines fine tension and distinctive minerality. Despite a relatively moderate incline, the climat enjoys generous sunshine, placing it among the sunniest sites in the Pernand-Vergelesses appellation.

The vintage

The year 2021 in Burgundy was marked by extreme weather conditions and historically low yields. Devastating frost episodes between April 5 and 9 significantly reduced the potential crop. April and May were cool and rainy, delaying the growing cycle. Fortunately, a lull in June allowed for an uneventful flowering, and favorable conditions from mid-August supported good veraison and gradual phenolic ripening. Harvest began on September 20. Despite these challenges, the 2021 vintage wines display remarkable aromatic clarity, persistent freshness and distinctive energy.

Vinification and aging

The grapes for the Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru "Fichots" 2021 were hand-harvested and carefully placed into small 8-kilogram crates. After rigorous sorting on a vibrating table, the bunches were fully destemmed before fermentation. Alcoholic fermentation took place in open vats over 19 days of maceration, using indigenous yeasts. Aging lasted 16 months, including 4 months in blend, in oak barrels of which 25% were new. Malolactic fermentation was deliberately delayed, occurring around 6 months after the start of alcoholic fermentation. The wine was bottled without fining or filtration.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir