Pernot-Belicard’s 2023s: The Domaine’s Best-to-Date
If you’re in the market for impeccably well-made white Burgundy that is also affordable then the set of 2023s from Pernot-Belicard should definitely fit the bill. I have been lucky enough to visit this property multiple times and taste the 2023s from both barrel and from bottle and see the wines evolve from potential to reality in terms of how good they are. These are easily the best set of wines produced from Pernot-Belicard to date, and they represent stellar values from the entry-level Bourgogne Blanc all the way to the top 1er Cru Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault offerings.
Philippe Pernot gets fruit from grandfather Paul Pernot, who has enviable plots strewn throughout both Puligny-Montrachet as well as Meursault. This fruit is coupled with fruit from with Philippe’s wife’s vineyards from her side of the family (Belicard). With impressive lineage and great vineyard sources, it is no wonder the wines here are on a serious trend upwards!
We kick off this amazing set of wines with the 2023 Domaine Pernot Belicard Bourgogne Aligoté "Vielles Vignes" $19.99, which is singing from the glass with notes of mint, menthol, citrus, and hints of flint and saltiness. This is a quintessential Aligoté that is bright and fresh without being searingly acidic like many old-school Aligotés used to be. A wonderful entry-level Bourgogne Blanc the 2023 Domaine Pernot-Belicard Bourgone Blanc Cote d’Or $29.99 is a fresh and lively offering loaded with zesty citrus notes and saltiness combined with wonderful acidity and depth.
Another great value proposition is the 2023 Domaine Pernot-Belicard Meursault “Vieilles Vignes” $69.99 89-91JM sourced from the vineyards of Pelles and Pellands. This displays a wealth of orchard and flinty notes with excellent harmony and balance. The wine feels distinctively like it couldn’t be from anywhere but Meursault, which in today’s Burgundy world is no small feat, especially for this price. Easily my favorite value in the Domaine Pernot-Belicard portfolio is the 2023 Domaine Pernot-Belicard Puligny Montrachet “Composition Parcellaire” 89-92JM $69.99, which is a blend of fruit from seven plots in Puligny-Montrachet. It is a fantastic Puligny-Montrachet. This wine has everything you would want: freshness, saltiness, crushed stone, and layers of orchard fruit. Balanced and harmonic, this is a great, great value that should allow you to drink a fine Puligny-Montrachet more often.
The four 1er Cru offerings from Domaine Pernot-Belicard offer a wonderful insight into the dynamic expressions of each of these unique terroirs. With three 1er Cru Puligny Montrachet vineyards all under $100 a bottle, these wines are certain to sell out quickly. The 2023 Domaine Pernot-Belicard Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru “Champ Canet” $99.99 91-93JM comes from a well-situated vineyard above the Les Combettes vineyard in Puligny-Montrachet and the southern portion of the Meursault Perrieres vineyard. Richly structured and full-bodied, there is a wealth of orchard fruit and spice aromas mingled against fine notes of flint and spice. The 2023 Domaine Pernot Belicard Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru “Champ Gain” $99.99 89-92JM comes from a vineyard high up the slope that was once forestland, hence the name Champ Gain. Relatively rich and fleshy, this wine has plush fruit and mineral notes with a long, full finish. The last of our three stellar Puligny-Montrachets is the 2023 Domaine Pernot-Belicard Puligny Montrachet 1er Cru “Perrieres” $99.99 91-93JM is next to the famed vineyard “Referts” and is renown for producing elegantly structured, age-worthy Puligny-Montrachets. Lean, fresh, and bright with a salty feel, laced with citrus and zesty orchard fruits—this is a top-notch Puligny Montrachet.
Lastly we have the 2023 Domaine Pernot Belicard Meursault 1er Cru "Perrières Dessous" $149.99 91-94JM. This is a flat-out stunner and deserving of the name Perrières. The layers of complexity and depth here stretched out against a wealth of orchard fruits and flinty notes makes this an outstanding Meursault! Remember the name Pernot-Belicard because these wines are on an upward trajectory.
- Alex Pross, K&L Burgundy Buyer