Verzenay has long been deemed one of the top terroirs in the Vallée de la Marne, and the Arnould family knows a thing or two about the village. The most northerly of all of the subregion’s grand crus, Verzenay’s mysterious climate somehow allows Pinot Noir to optimally ripen, which provides a strong backbone to the family’s structured wines.

Now comprising just under 11 hectares of vines—of which 80% is planted to Pinot Noir (the remaining 20% is rounded out with Chardonnay)—the property is now spearheaded by fifth-generation Patrick Arnould. Prior to bottling and sur-lie aging, all wines finish malolactic fermentation in a combination of stainless steel and enamel vessels. The resulting wines are rich and round, yet maintain an impressive balance.