2010 Corton Charlemagne

The 2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has an inviting floral bouquet with touches of orange blossom and dried apricot that is nuanced and alluring. The palate is generous on the opening, laden with spicy fruit, orange zest and lemongrass that builds to a voluminous finish. The palate is not as subtle as the aromatics suggest, but you cannot argue that it is packed full of flavor. Drink 2015-2025. This was the first time I had been back to Louis Jadot’s expansive winery on the northern outskirts of Beaune since their memorable 150th anniversary tasting back in 2008. As I quipped in the previous issue, Jacques Lardiere was then talking about his imminent retirement that seemed to never come. But on this occasion, there was new winemaker Frederic Barnier there to greet me. He has large shoes to fill but he seems up to the task of steering this important Burgundy name to a new chapter, having worked alongside Jacques for a couple of years. “At the beginning, we were not so confident about the whites,” he explained in reference to his 2011s, “but it has been a nice surprise. The dry spring of 2011 affected the level of ripeness but it has lent freshness, but with low acidity.” We did not have time to taste the entire portfolio of over 80 crus, but instead took a sample of 20 white and reds from both the 2010 and 2011 vintages. Importer: Kobrand, Purchase, NY; tel. (914) 253-7700

The 2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has an inviting floral bouquet with touches of orange blossom and dried apricot that is nuanced and alluring. The palate is generous on the opening, laden with spicy fruit, orange zest and lemongrass that builds to a voluminous finish. The palate is not as subtle as the aromatics suggest, but you cannot argue that it is packed full of flavor.

A classic and exuberantly fresh if restrained nose of Granny Smith apples, wet stone, floral and white-fleshed orchard fruit aromas. The intensely mineral-driven, muscular and big-bodied flavors possess impressive mid-palate concentration and fine richness as they completely coat the mouth with dry extract before exploding on the bone dry and palate etching finish that is almost painfully intense. This is going to need plenty of bottle age as it's very, very backward but it should more than repay your patience. Drink 2022+