Domaine Jean-Jacques Girard
Les Fichots Pernand-Vergelesses 1er Cru Pinot Noir
Pernand-Vergelesses, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
Over three hours this opened beautifully, gaining depth, flesh and amplitude while keeping terrific freshness. The nose became increasingly brambly and spicy, with damson, moss, forest underbrush and deep cherry fruit. The palate filled out into a velvety, juicy, richly fruited expression, with the classic 2023 chord progression from sour cherry through sweet and mid-season cherry, substantial ripe tannins and excellent acidity. Forward and generous for Fichots, but still unmistakably structured and site-driven, with a long, tangy finish and real depth. Delicious now with air, but clearly built to evolve.
Day two and this has fully arrived. The tannins have melted into the wine and become beautifully textural, while the fruit is now deep, luxurious and completely seamless, with terrific freshness keeping all that richness alive. Gorgeous amplitude, purity and balance, with the classic brambly, spicy, woodland Fichots character still underneath. I gave this 9.5 back in May, and after day two I see no reason whatsoever not to put it right back there.
Over three hours this opened beautifully, gaining depth, flesh and amplitude while keeping terrific freshness. The nose became increasingly brambly and spicy, with damson, moss, forest underbrush and deep cherry fruit. The palate filled out into a velvety, juicy, richly fruited expression, with the classic 2023 chord progression from sour cherry through sweet and mid-season cherry, substantial ripe tannins and excellent acidity. Forward and generous for Fichots, but still unmistakably structured and site-driven, with a long, tangy finish and real depth. Delicious now with air, but clearly built to evolve.
Day two and this has fully arrived. The tannins have melted into the wine and become beautifully textural, while the fruit is now deep, luxurious and completely seamless, with terrific freshness keeping all that richness alive. Gorgeous amplitude, purity and balance, with the classic brambly, spicy, woodland Fichots character still underneath. I gave this 9.5 back in May, and after day two I see no reason whatsoever not to put it right back there.
I love this vineyard and Girard’s interpretation of it. Generous and enveloping nose with gorgeous mid season cherry, spice, seaweed paper, tweed jacket and macerated mid to late season cherries. Really provocative and deep aromas. Palate is classic young Fichots. A wall of tannin and gorgeous dark fruits that echoe but are currently 90% covered by tannins. So dense and chewy with just awesome inner mouth aromas and dark black and blue fruits and. sinewy, foresty vibe that is so intriguing. This wine needs air but is shaping up to be a classic Fichots. Nose opening up with dark cranberry, spice, forest floor and more. The Fichots aromatic complexity is really here in spades. I love this wine. Loosening up and getting so juicy. So pure. Really nice inner mouth aromas and terrific energy and freshness. Awesome on day 2. Nose is brambly and nuanced. Palate is out of this world. Dense and opulent fruit. So fresh. Bursting. Sweet and tart. 9.4 to 9.5 overnight.
I love this vineyard and Girard’s interpretation of it. Generous and enveloping nose with gorgeous mid season cherry, spice, seaweed paper, tweed jacket and macerated mid to late season cherries. Really provocative and deep aromas. Palate is classic young Fichots. A wall of tannin and gorgeous dark fruits that echoe but are currently 90% covered by tannins. So dense and chewy with just awesome inner mouth aromas and dark black and blue fruits and. sinewy, foresty vibe that is so intriguing. This wine needs air but is shaping up to be a classic Fichots. Nose opening up with dark cranberry, spice, forest floor and more. The Fichots aromatic complexity is really here in spades. I love this wine. Loosening up and getting so juicy. So pure. Really nice inner mouth aromas and terrific energy and freshness. Awesome on day 2. Nose is brambly and nuanced. Palate is out of this world. Dense and opulent fruit. So fresh. Bursting. Sweet and tart. 9.4 to 9.5 overnight.
May 15th, 2025