2011 Corton Charlemagne
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Tasting notes
(harvested on September 12, with potential alcohol of 12.8%; from an east-facing, cool site at the top of the hill, just under the trees, where phenolic maturity usually comes before sugar ripeness): Pale, bright, green-tinged yellow. Pungent, raw aromas of crushed stone, pepper, truffle and earth: very white soil in character. The impression of rawness continues on the tight, leanish palate, which offers pure flavors of crushed stone, pepper and saline minerality. With less stuffing here than the Montrachet, this penetrating, soil-driven wine comes across as austere. But its lingering perfume suggests that it will reward extended cellaring.
Critic scores
Average Score
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
A pungent nose offers up notes of lemongrass, Granny Smith apples, pear, white flowers and an interesting earthy character. There is perhaps even better mid-palate density than that of the Montrachet with an almost pungent minerality to the wonderful intense and powerful flavors that possess excellent depth and superb length on the finish that is unusually succulent for a young Corton-Charlemagne. More interestingly still is that the earth shows up again on the finale as does a hint of grilled almonds. In sum, this is very impressive though I don't know that I would describe it as classic. Drink: 2021+