2005 Quintessence de Corton Charlemagne
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Tasting notes
Smoky aromas of flinty silex and chicken broth; in an awkward stage. Then sweeter than the basic Corton-Charlemagne bottling, at once more opulent and more closed. Can't match the '06 for grip or class but this boasts superb richness and smoky depth. Today I find this less pristine and less vibrant than the regular bottling, but it's also extremely unevolved, and longer and more powerful on the back end.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Full, bright yellow. Exotic, superripe aromas of apricot and hazelnut. Creamy-sweet, remarkably deep and harmonious; offers a chewy suggestion of extract without coming across as phenolic. Wonderfully rich, ripe and layered for a wine with 13.3% alcohol. Prior to this vintage, Girardin's Quintessence bottling came from vines in Aloxe-Corton. But now it's from this parcel of vines in Pernand, which he purchased in 2005. The vines are up to 70 years old, and in 2005 were harvested until September 30.