Louis Jadot, 2009, Pernand-Vergelesses "Clos de la Croix de Pierre".

Pernand-Vergelesses lies along the western side of the Côte de Beaune, bordered by Savigny-lès-Beaune to the southwest and south, and by Aloxe-Corton to the east. Its tiny village is nearly invisible, nestled in the grove of trees which rises from the middle of the vineyards. Of Pernand's 522 acres of vineyards, 140 are divided among five premiers crus, and a further 43 lie in the renowned En Charlemagne vineyard which spills into Pemand from Aloxe-Corton. Pernand- Vergelesses produces both red (84 percent) and white (16 percent) wines under the village and premier cru appellations, as well as red wine classified Cote de Beaune-Villages. White wine from the En Charlemagne climate is classified as Corton-Charlemagne, and red wine from the same vineyard as Corton, both grands crus.

The name "Pernand" is derived from the term "nand," meaning "spring," as in an underground source of water, which becomes lost, or "perdu" in the soil. Although vines have long been the predominant agricultural pursuit in Pernand, such was not always the case. The local inhabitants are refereed to as "Moutelles," an old French word for "bean." It seems the village populace once not only cultivated, but also consumed, significant quantities of this legume. No one was sorry to see viticulture take over.

The En Caradeux vineyard is separated by only a small plot of vines from the En Charlemagne climate of Pernand. It consists of two zones: a premier cru parcel of 35.5 acres and a village parcel of 13 acres. The Clos de la Croix de Pierre lies in the premier cru area, and occupies 8.2 acres. The vineyard takes its name from the imposing old stone cross, the origins of which are unknown, marking the site. Part of the Clos de la Croix de Pierre originally belonged to a cousin of Louis Jadot, and in the late 1950s this plot of 3.9 acres was assimilated into the holdings of Domaines des Héritiers Louis Jadot. In 1995 the remaining 4.3 acres was acquired, making the Clos de la Croix de Pierre a wholly-owned monopoly of Louis Jadot. It produces what is often the finest premier cru of Pernand, a wine that allies an earthy full body and firm structure with finesse. The charming, ripe Pinot Noir flavours unfold on the palate, carrying into a graceful, lingering finish.