2023 Domaine Chanson Vergelesses Premier Cru Pernand-Vergelesses 750 ml

When you look at a map—or even better, take a sip of what’s in the bottle—it’s clear that Domaine Chanson’s Vergelesses has Grand Cru aspirations. Made from one of the defining vineyards of the village, the vines grow practically next door to the Grand Cru hill of Corton. Even James Suckling once wondered aloud, “Why isn’t this appellation taken more seriously?”

Domaine Chanson is one of Burgundy’s oldest estates, founded in 1750, and it’s telling that they’re one of just six from the 18th century that still survives today. Chanson’s longevity isn’t just a historical curiosity—it’s a competitive advantage. Founded in 1750 and headquartered in Beaune in a fortress-like cellar that predates the French Revolution, the domaine has quietly shaped some of the Côte de Beaune’s most important sites for centuries. 

Long before “estate bottling” became a marketing term, Chanson was investing in land, patiently assembling holdings in places that mattered. Les Vergelesses is a perfect example: a serious, contiguous Premier Cru vineyard in a village that has never quite caught up to its potential in the marketplace, despite sitting in the shadow of Corton.

The 2023 vintage is one that Burgundy lovers will be happy to revisit often. It delivered ripe, healthy fruit with the kind of balance that growers dream about—enough generosity to make the wines expressive young, but with the structure and freshness that signal longevity. At Chanson, the growing season allowed for measured decisions in the vineyard and an unhurried harvest, preserving the clarity of site that makes Vergelesses so compelling.

In the cellar, the approach remains resolutely hands-off. Chanson favors what they call “infusion rather than construction,” letting pristine fruit, not winemaking tricks, do the real work. The fermentations are guided gently, the extraction is controlled, and the élevage is designed to support—not mask—the wine’s natural structure. Oak is used judiciously, framing the wine rather than seasoning it. The result is a Premier Cru that’s quietly ambitious… exactly what you want from a vineyard this close to greatness.