2010 Corton Le Rognet

The 2010 Corton Rognets is striking. Seamless layers of dark red fruit, freshly cut flowers and mint are some of the many notes that flow from this impeccable, silky Corton. This is all elegance and class, quite different from the reputation of Corton. The wine needs a few years to absorb its 50% new oak barrels, but it is still pretty impressive at present. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030. Winemaker David Croix describes 2010 as being similar to 2002, but with more tension. The harvest started on September 23. About two-thirds of the wines were lightly chaptalized. None of these wines had been racked at the time of my visit in November 2011. Giroud fans will note the addition of two new Volnays to the lineup. I will report on the maison’s 2009s in the April issue. A Becky Wasserman Selection, Le Serbet, various American importers, including Grand Cru Selections, New York, NY; tel. (212) 974-2500; Veritas Imports, Beverly Hills, CA; tel. (310) 205-3803; Toepfer Imports LLC, CO; tel. (303) 818-7640

Sweet and intense. Big and beefy – almost meaty. A third whole cluster. Finishes a bit suddenly. (JR)

(30% vendange entier ): Good bright, deep red. Brooding aromas of black cherry and violet. Juicy and sweet but less expressive today than the Clos du Roi. Terrific dark fruit and floral flavors are given punch by the stem component. Finishes with serious tannins and lingering notes of bitter chocolate and spice. Croix notes that this wine has been graceful and aromatic in barrel since the outset, but today it's a bit more sullen.