The Domaine Dubreuil-Fontaine was founded in 1879, and so is now quickly approaching its 150th anniversary. The estate has always been in the heart of Pernand-Vergelesses, an ancient town that sits just behind the hill of Corton (viewed from the main highway) and is the only village in the Côte d’Or to have both red and white wines in villages, Premier, and Grand Cru appellations. Fifth generation winemaker Christine Dubreuil has been at the helm for over two decades, and since 2019 has been joined by her daughter Clémentine. This female led team is making some of the most regal, elegant, and terroir transparent wines in the Côte de Beaune, and as an added bonus they remain excellent values. 

“Ile des Vergelesses” is widely considered the top Premier Cru for Pinot Noir in Pernand-Vergelesses, and indeed it's on a perennial list of “soon to be Grand Cru.” Christine and Clémentine fully de-stem the perfectly ripe bunches before fermentation in temperature controlled tanks. The wine is aged in barrique (25% new) as well as steel tanks for 12-15 months before bottling without filtration. Serve at cellar temperature in Burgundy stems. The nose is dominated by red and black fruits, spiced cherries, wild blueberries, dried rose petals, dark chocolate, black olive, and damp earth. The medium bodied palate has silky texture and firm but not rustic tannins–this is definitely a wine that is built to last a decade or more in the cellar.