2018 Corton Charlemagne
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru comes from east-facing vineyards within the Les Languettes, a small production of six barrels. It has a closed and stubbornly backward bouquet that is outflanked by the Clos des Mouches Blanc. The tensile palate delivers good acidity and notes of orange zest and light peach notes, quite pure, and a spicy stem ginger and salty peanut finish. Very fine.
Critic scores
Average Score
Neal Martin, Vinous
Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
More reviews and scores
Picked early, on August 29th. Pale colour with a clear fresh chiselled nose. After a while some refined citrus notes start to appear and a little touch of oak. Lean but with adequate flesh, all in white fruit, on the stones, and with excellent persistence.
East facing unlike much of Corton. In the Languettes climat. The first of their own vineyards that Philippe Drouhin ran biodynamically. About 30% new oak for their grands crus. Usually just six barrels. Cask sample. Spicy with a hint of coconut but it is more the lees effect than the oak that clothes the fruit here. Pretty oaky on the palate with an unexpected oak sweetness. Véronique Drouhin says this wine often has a hint of violets but I can’t pick that out. I do agree with her that there is some tannin here but it is well integrated in this long, powerful wine. Really persistent with a salty, mouth-watering finish even if the acidity is modest.
About the producer
Joseph Drouhin is one of the largest and most famous producers in Burgundy, making both domaine and négociant wines. It remains family-owned and run, now in the hands of the fourth generation.