DOMAINE PERROT-MINOTBurgundy
Wine Region
Côte de Nuits, Burgundy
Vineyard
12.5 hectares
The 2021 vintage is our sixth. Over this time, we have seen the wines cement themselves as favourites for many of our customers, who appreciate the focus and sensitivity of approach that Christophe has brought, both in the vines and the cellar.
After joining in 1993, Christophe has taken the reputation of the family domaine to the next level. He has thirteen hectares of vines, spread across Morey-Saint-Denis, Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Today’s estate stems from two main sources. The original holdings, inherited from Christophe’s mother’s father, the Merme family, were bolstered by the acquisition of the Vosne-Romanée-based Domaine Pernin-Rossin in 2000.
The domaine has worked organically for several years, with certification expected later this year. Since 2020, all vineyard and cellar work has been carried out in accordance with the biodynamic calendar.
Whole bunch vinification imbues these wines with an enticingly fresh sapidity, but at a maximum of around 50% (even less in 2021), never dominates the flavour profile, allowing these great terroirs to shine through. New oak use is similarly moderate, with a maximum now of 20%. As always, we will have to allocate the wines, which are in smaller supply than ever in the tiny 2021 vintage.
GUY SEDDON
HEAD OF FINE WINE BUYING
History
TASTING NOTES
Perrot-Minot’s broadest offering is in Gevrey-Chambertin. There are no fewer than six grand crus here, along with an excellent village Gevrey which gives an insight into Christophe’s style. The Gevrey grands crus are a combination of domaine-owned parcels and bought-in grapes (the latter do not bear the word ‘Domaine’ on the label). The domaine, which is based in Morey-Saint-Denis, also has vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. The holdings in Nuits represent the southernmost extent of the Perrot-Minot empire, including the second of the domaine’s Cuvées Ultras, 1er Cru La Richemone. Christophe stopped producing double cuvées in 2014 (i.e. an ‘ultra’ from old vines as well as a ‘normal’ cuvée).
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN VILLAGES JUSTICE DES SEUVRÉES
The domaine’s Gevrey-Chambertin Villages is made from 1.51 hectares of vines, which are 45 years old on average. Half of this comes from Les Justices, in the north, and the other half from Les Seuvrées, in the extreme south – the last parcel in Gevrey. Sweet red berry fruit, with a cherried intensity, a ferrous seam and a salty-mineral finish. 20% whole bunch fermentation.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2024–2034
£895 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
CHAPELLE-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
Chapelle-Chambertin, which takes its name from the old chapel of Nôtre-Dame de Bèze, lies below Clos de Bèze. This is made from two lieux-dits: Chapelle and Les Gémeaux (the twins), whose vines are 70 years old on average, planted on permeable limestone boulders. This often reaches maturity before Chambertin. Blue-black fruits of the forest, with a weighty purity of fruit framed by grippy tannins, and a chalky-mineral definition to the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 18.5
Recommended drinking from 2028–2043
£3,550 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
GRIOTTE-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
This tiny plot of 60-year-old vines is located immediately beneath Clos de Bèze, almost adjacent to Chambertin. The slope is very steep and the micro-climate undoubtedly the warmest of the grand crus, allowing the grapes to ripen 5 or 6 days earlier than Chambertin. Only one barrel of Griotte-Chambertin was made in 2021, and it was the only one of the 2021s that we did not taste when we visited. This tends to be an aromatically delicate wine, with small red berry character and exotic spices.
Recommended drinking from 2026–2040
£1,675/ CASE OF 1 MAGNUM, IN BOND UK
CHARMES-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
This 0.80 hectare domaine-owned parcel of 50 year-old, particularly deep-rooted vines, is the highest plot in the village, located directly opposite the holding of Armand Rousseau. Aromas of bright red berries and roses, with sappy whole-bunch spices. The palate reveals this to be a wine of substance, packed with sweet red fruit and fine stony-mineral grip, with a beguiling finesse to the perfumed finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 18.5
Recommended drinking from 2026–2040
£3,450 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
MAZOYÈRES-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
This comes from one hectare, owned by the domaine since 1994 and located on the high part of the slope. The vines are 55 years old on average. Although Christophe would be entitled to blend this with his Charmes-Chambertin, their characters are so different. The soils are clay-limestone, mixed with chalky gravel. The trademark stark rocky minerality of Mazoyères allows the dried herb whole-bunch spice aromas to soar. Mineral-rich, pure and transparent, with an orange rind zestiness. Wonderful wine.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2026–2040
£3,450/ CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
CHAMBERTIN CLOS DE BÈZE GRAND CRU
The domaine has access to more vines in Clos de Bèze than in Chambertin. The average vine age here is over 50 years old. Very refined sweet spices and chalky-mineral aromas lead into a palate of roses and flinty dark berry fruit, framed by chiselled tannins. You can feel the presence of the limestone here in a fine grip across the palate. 30% of this was aged in glass Wineglobe, perhaps drawing out the beautiful purity of fruit here.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2028–2040
£8,250 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
Occupying a central position on this majestic east-facing slope, Perrot-Minot’s Chambertin comes from vines of over 50 years of age. This is a succulent, strident and gratifyingly fleshy wine in 2021. The palate is giving and dark-fruited, with a powerful chalky-mineral drive, black berry and cherry fruits and a poised density, lifted by playful sappy spices and zesty orange rind energy. Aged in used barrels, with a third in glass Wineglobe.
Corney & Barrow Score 18.5 - 19
Recommended drinking from 2028–2040+
£8,250 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
MOREY-SAINT-DENIS 1ER CRU LA RIOTTE
La Riotte, a premier cru made by just two others, lies on the opposite side of the village from La Rue de Vergy, beside a small road between the vines. Indeed, the name may be derived from Ruotte, a little road. This is a half-hectare holding of 55-year-old vines. Dark and spicy, with crushed peppercorns. The medium-bodied palate is pared-back, more intellectual than voluptuous at this stage, framed by fine tannins.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2025–2038
£1,325 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
MOREY-SAINT-DENIS LA RUE DE VERGY
La Rue de Vergy is a 1.5 hectare holding, a long thin strip of 40-year-old vines located just above Clos de Tart, high on the slope where the soils are thin. Pure and dark berried, with crunchy ripe blackberry fruit and a fine line of chalky minerality. This received 20% whole bunch fermentation in 2021 and was aged in one-year-old barrels.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2024–2036
£900 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY 1ER CRU LA COMBE D’ORVEAU VIEILLES VIGNES CUVÉE ULTRA
‘Ultra’ designates the venerably old vines from which this cuvée is made, adjacent to Le Musigny vineyard. This lower part of the Combe d’Orveau has finer, siltier soils which confer greater density. Wonderfully red berried aromas, roses and exotic spices on the nose. The palate is supple and airborne, playful and soaring, this is really the essence of Chambolle. Alas, there is just one barrel in 2021.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2027–2040
£3,500 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY ORVEAUX DES BUSSIÈRES
The domaine’s only Chambolle village has the cuvée name Orveaux des Bussières, reflecting that around 50% of it is from Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d’Orveau (upper part of the Combe d’Orveau CuvéeUltra) and 50% is from old vines (100 years old) in Les Bussières. The total area is just 0.85 hectares. Pretty aromas of roses and sweet spices. The palate is fleshy and beguilingly red-fruited, with a chalky-mineral grip to the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2024–2032
£1,075/ CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOSNE-ROMANÉE ORME DES CHALANDINS
The domaine’s Vosne-Romanée village, which bears the cuvée name Orme des Chalandins, comes from around half a hectare of 45-year-old vines. This is a blend of Les Ormes and Les Chalandins. Spicy, minty aromas, with a fine red berried intensity. Very fine, fruit-coated tannins.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2027–2040
£1,095 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOSNE-ROMANÉE CHAMPS PERDRIX
This lieu-dit bottling is made from a stony 0.40-hectare plot just above the grand cru La Grande Rue. Christophe Perrot-Minot has described this as “elegant and diva-like”. This is a dancer, all taking place in the air – rose petal perfume leads into a palate of bright wild strawberry fruit, framed by fruit-coated tannins and with a fine chalky-mineral texture.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5 -18
Recommended drinking from 2027–2040
£1,525 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES 1ER CRU LA RICHEMONE VIGNES CENTENAIRES CUVÉE ULTRA
The domaine has two hectares in Richemone. Only one barrel was made in 2021, of the usual six. This cuvée retains the name ‘ultra’, in recognition of its ancient vines, the survivors of which were planted in 1902. It is “on the level of a grand cru”, as Christophe says. Dark, intense small dark berries, with a peppery intricacy and sappy spices. Focused and linear, with a long life ahead. Wonderful.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2027–2045
£3,550 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
INTRODUCTION
One of the final releases of the C&B 2021 season, the wines of Christophe Perrot-Minot are an annual highlight of our Burgundy calendar.
The 2021 vintage is our sixth. Over this time, we have seen the wines cement themselves as favourites for many of our customers, who appreciate the focus and sensitivity of approach that Christophe has brought, both in the vines and the cellar.
After joining in 1993, Christophe has taken the reputation of the family domaine to the next level. He has thirteen hectares of vines, spread across Morey-Saint-Denis, Gevrey-Chambertin, Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges.
Today’s estate stems from two main sources. The original holdings, inherited from Christophe’s mother’s father, the Merme family, were bolstered by the acquisition of the Vosne-Romanée-based Domaine Pernin-Rossin in 2000.
The domaine has worked organically for several years, with certification expected later this year. Since 2020, all vineyard and cellar work has been carried out in accordance with the biodynamic calendar.
Whole bunch vinification imbues these wines with an enticingly fresh sapidity, but at a maximum of around 50% (even less in 2021), never dominates the flavour profile, allowing these great terroirs to shine through. New oak use is similarly moderate, with a maximum now of 20%.
As always, we will have to allocate the wines, which are in smaller supply than ever in the tiny 2021 vintage.
GUY SEDDON
HEAD OF FINE WINE BUYING
June 2023
HISTORY
The origins of Domaine Perrot-Minot date back to the middle of the 19th century, but it was Amédée and Armand Merme who really set the domaine in motion at the start of the 20th century.
In the 1970s, Marie‑France Merme continued the work of her father Armand with her husband Henri Perrot-Minot. After Armand's death, Marie-France and Henri took over the estate, the name of which was changed to Domaine Perrot-Minot.
In 1993, their son Christophe Perrot-Minot took charge of the domaine, having worked as a wine broker for seven years. According to Christophe, the stylistic changes he put in place around 2001, in the pursuit of elegance and finesse, are visible from the 2005 and 2006 vintages onwards.
Amédée Merme
|
Armand Merme
|
Marie‑France Merme m. Henri Perrot-Minot
|
Christophe Perrot-Minot
THE 2021 VINTAGE AT DOMAINE PERROT-MINOT
2021 is like 2017 – with more acidity but a similar character... Christophe Perrot-Minot, November 2022
The Perrot-Minot 2021s are beautiful wines. Christophe Perrot-Minot was rather downbeat about the general (unwarranted) reputation of the vintage, agreeing that we will be finding the 2021s ‘surprisingly good’ for years to come.
The vintage saw a continuation of the trend here towards fine-tuned whole-bunch vinification and reduced new oak use. The proportion of whole bunches averaged 20-30% in 2021 – a significant reduction on past practice. But as Christophe stressed, when it comes to winemaking, “La règle c’est que il n’y a pas de règles.”
The volumes here have been shrinking over recent years. Production was truly tiny in 2021 – just 49 barrels were made at the domaine, versus 90 in 2020, 125 in 2019 and 150 in 2018. 150 barrels is what Christophe Perrot-Minot considers to be ‘normal’, and hopefully we will see a return to these levels in the 2022 vintage.
Bottling took place in January and February 2023.
THE WINES
Perrot-Minot’s broadest offering is in Gevrey-Chambertin. There are no fewer than six grands crus here, along with an excellent village Gevrey which gives an insight into Christophe’s style. The Gevrey grands crus are a combination of domaine-owned parcels and bought-in grapes (the latter do not bear the word ‘Domaine’ on the label).
The domaine, which is based in Morey-Saint-Denis, also has vineyards in Chambolle-Musigny, Vosne-Romanée and Nuits-Saint-Georges. The holdings in Nuits represent the southernmost extent of the Perrot-Minot empire, including the second of the domaine’s Cuvées Ultras, 1er Cru La Richemone. Christophe stopped producing double cuvées in 2014 (i.e. an ‘ultra’ from old vines as well as a ‘normal’ cuvée).
GEVREY-CHAMBERTIN VILLAGES JUSTICE DES SEUVRÉES
The domaine’s Gevrey-Chambertin Villages is made from 1.51 hectares of vines, which are 45 years old on average. Half of this comes from Les Justices, in the north, and the other half from Les Seuvrées, in the extreme south – the last parcel in Gevrey. Sweet red berry fruit, with a cherried intensity, a ferrous seam and a salty-mineral finish. 20% whole bunch fermentation.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2024–2034
CHAPELLE-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
Chapelle-Chambertin, which takes its name from the old chapel of Nôtre-Dame de Bèze, lies below Clos de Bèze. This is made from two lieux-dits: Chapelle and Les Gémeaux (the twins), whose vines are 70 years old on average, planted on permeable limestone boulders. This often reaches maturity before Chambertin. Blue-black fruits of the forest, with a weighty purity of fruit framed by grippy tannins, and a chalky-mineral definition to the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 18.5
Recommended drinking from 2028–2043
GRIOTTE-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
This tiny plot of 60-year-old vines is located immediately beneath Clos de Bèze, almost adjacent to Chambertin. The slope is very steep and the micro-climate undoubtedly the warmest of the grands crus, allowing the grapes to ripen 5 or 6 days earlier than Chambertin. Only one barrel of Griotte-Chambertin was made in 2021, and it was the only one of the 2021s that we did not taste when we visited. This tends to be an aromatically delicate wine, with small red berry character and exotic spices
Recommended drinking from 2026–2040
CHARMES-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
This 0.80 hectare domaine-owned parcel of 50 year-old, particularly deep-rooted vines, is the highest plot in the village, located directly opposite the holding of Armand Rousseau. Aromas of bright red berries and roses, with sappy whole-bunch spices. The palate reveals this to be a wine of substance, packed with sweet red fruit and fine stony-mineral grip, with a beguiling finesse to the perfumed finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 18.5
Recommended drinking from 2026–2040
MAZOYÈRES-CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
This comes from one hectare, owned by the domaine since 1994 and located on the high part of the slope. The vines are 55 years old on average. Although Christophe would be entitled to blend this with his Charmes-Chambertin, their characters are so different. The soils are clay-limestone, mixed with chalky gravel. The trademark stark rocky minerality of Mazoyères allows the dried herb whole-bunch spice aromas to soar. Mineral-rich, pure and transparent, with an orange rind zestiness. Wonderful wine.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2026–2040
CHAMBERTIN CLOS DE BÈZE GRAND CRU
The domaine has access to more vines in Clos de Bèze than in Chambertin. The average vine age here is over 50 years old. Very refined sweet spices and chalky-mineral aromas lead into a palate of roses and flinty dark berry fruit, framed by chiselled tannins. You can feel the presence of the limestone here in a fine grip across the palate. 30% of this was aged in glass Wineglobe, perhaps drawing out the beautiful purity of fruit here.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2028–2040
CHAMBERTIN GRAND CRU
Occupying a central position on this majestic east-facing slope, Perrot-Minot’s Chambertin comes from vines of over 50 years of age. This is a succulent, strident and gratifyingly fleshy wine in 2021. The palate is giving and dark-fruited, with a powerful chalky-mineral drive, black berry and cherry fruits and a poised density, lifted by playful sappy spices and zesty orange rind energy. Aged in used barrels, with a third in glass Wineglobe.
Corney & Barrow Score 18.5 - 19
Recommended drinking from 2028–2040+
MOREY-SAINT-DENIS 1ER CRU LA RIOTTE
La Riotte, a premier cru made by just two others, lies on the opposite side of the village from La Rue de Vergy, beside a small road between the vines. Indeed, the name may be derived from Ruotte, a little road. This is a half-hectare holding of 55-year-old vines. Dark and spicy, with crushed peppercorns. The medium-bodied palate is pared-back, more intellectual than voluptuous at this stage, framed by fine tannins.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2025–2038
MOREY-SAINT-DENIS LA RUE DE VERGY
La Rue de Vergy is a 1.5 hectare holding, a long thin strip of 40-year-old vines located just above Clos de Tart, high on the slope where the soils are thin. Pure and dark berried, with crunchy ripe blackberry fruit and a fine line of chalky minerality. This received 20% whole bunch fermentation in 2021 and was aged in one-year-old barrels.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2024–2036
CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY 1ER CRU LA COMBE D’ORVEAU VIEILLES VIGNES CUVÉE ULTRA
‘Ultra’ designates the venerably old vines from which this cuvée is made, adjacent to Le Musigny vineyard. This lower part of the Combe d’Orveau has finer, siltier soils which confer greater density. Wonderfully red berried aromas, roses and exotic spices on the nose. The palate is supple and airborne, playful and soaring, this is really the essence of Chambolle. Alas, there is just one barrel in 2021.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2027–2040
CHAMBOLLE-MUSIGNY ORVEAUX DES BUSSIÈRES
The domaine’s only Chambolle village has the cuvée name Orveaux des Bussières, reflecting that around 50% of it is from Chambolle-Musigny 1er Cru La Combe d’Orveau (upper part of the Combe d’Orveau Cuvée Ultra) and 50% is from old vines (100 years old) in Les Bussières. The total area is just 0.85 hectares. Pretty aromas of roses and sweet spices. The palate is fleshy and beguilingly red-fruited, with a chalky-mineral grip to the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2024–2032
VOSNE-ROMANÉE ORME DES CHALANDINS
The domaine’s Vosne-Romanée village, which bears the cuvée name Orme des Chalandins, comes from around half a hectare of 45-year-old vines. This is a blend of Les Ormes and Les Chalandins. Spicy, minty aromas, with a fine red berried intensity. Very fine, fruit-coated tannins.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5+
Recommended drinking from 2027–2040
VOSNE-ROMANÉE CHAMPS PERDRIX
This lieu-dit bottling is made from a stony 0.40-hectare plot just above the grand cru La Grande Rue. Christophe Perrot-Minot has described this as “elegant and diva-like”. This is a dancer, all taking place in the air – rose petal perfume leads into a palate of bright wild strawberry fruit, framed by fruit-coated tannins and with a fine chalky-mineral texture.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5 -18
Recommended drinking from 2027–2040
NUITS-SAINT-GEORGES 1ER CRU LA RICHEMONE VIGNES CENTENAIRES CUVÉE ULTRA
The domaine has two hectares in Richemone. Only one barrel was made in 2021, of the usual six. This cuvée retains the name ‘ultra’, in recognition of its ancient vines, the survivors of which were planted in 1902. It is “on the level of a grand cru”, as Christophe says. Dark, intense small dark berries, with a peppery intricacy and sappy spices. Focused and linear, with a long life ahead. Wonderful.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2027–2045