Domaine Chandon de Briailles, Pernand-Vergelesses Premier Cru, Ile des Vergelesses Rouge 2010 (Dbl. Magnum)

Moderately saturated medium red. Initially less expressive on the nose than the Lavieres, but opened in the glass to reveal complex scents of red fruits, menthol, meat, leather, pepper and soil. Wonderfully suave in the mouth; stony but without any rough edges. Juicy red fruit and mineral flavors spread out to saturate the entire palate, then build subtly and inexorably on the long aftertaste. This subtly scented wine boasts excellent mid-term aging potential. This bottling is often a sentimental favorite of mine, and in 2010 it's a knockout. It would be a shame to open it too early.

• Reviewer Name: Stephen Tanzer
• Review Date: March 2013