The vine

• Plot /climat

  Sous Frétille

• History

  Frétille is derived from the Old French word "freste" meaning "summit." Sous Frétille lies at the foot of the Frétille hill, whose peak reaches 385 meters. As a recognition of the quality of this terroir, the appellation was granted Premier Cru status in 2000. Many locals from Pernand refer to the wines from Sous-Frétille as their "little Charlemagne".

• Soil

  At the top of the hillside, the soil is thin and composed of white marl. The steep slope and significant rainfall in Pernand-Vergelesses can cause erosion.

• Our plot(s)

  67 ares planted in 1986, 1996, 2000, and 2003, located between 310 and 350 meters in altitude. This hillside of the Frétille slope faces south, and the strong sunlight compensates for the high elevation.

• Age of vines

  • Planting date Surface
  • 1986 8.06a
  • 1996 22.05a
  • 1996 7.72a
  • 2000 6.37a
  • 2003 22.43a

The wine

• Description

  100% Chardonnay from handpicked grapes; vinified and raised in oak casks.

• Taste

  The wine displays a beautiful pale gold color with gourmet notes of almond and orchard fruits. The attack is silky and fleshy. The finale reveals the minerality of the terroir, with good length.

• Serving temperature

  12/14°C. Recent vintages may be decanted to enhance the aroma

The vintage

• The mild Winter meant that vegetation growth started early; we began debudding mid-April and with fine sunny weather the vine developed and flourished gradually in good conditions. The Summer was very dry which accelerated the maturing process with a lower yield but a high aromatic concentration for the Pinot Noir grape; for the Chardonnay however, the conditions were satisfactory for both growth and maturity. The grape harvest commenced on 20 August. The white wines follow the true burgundy tradition with good intensity and citrus notes, fresh and mineral in the mouth