2012 Corton Renardes
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Tasting notes
Tasted blind at the annual "Burgfest" tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Corton Renardes Grand Cru from Thibault Liger-Belair is one of his best offerings this vintage. It has a pastille-like bouquet with strawberry winegums and quite conspicuous oak at the moment that will need to be subsumed. There is just a touch of smoked meats in the background. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, rounded red berry fruit, slightly lower acidity than its peers with a velvety finish that is more about the texture than intrinsic complexity. This is a thoughtfully crafted, delicious Corton Renardes.
Critic scores
Average Score
Richard Hemming MW, jancisrobinson.com
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The dominant feature here is a sort of musty, hamster-cage character I associate with natural wine, and not in a good way. Lacks purity and character, and is basically faulty, I’d say. (RH)
(100% destemmed): Good full red. Wild aromas of red fruits, bacon, leather and fresh blood. Juicy, structured and quite taut at present, showing its dynamic calcaire character. Very fresh and backward wine with an imploded rocky character. Tannins show a youthful hardness. This is tough going today.
Liger-Belairs' 2012 Corton Les Renardes is dazzling. Layers of expressive dark fruit blossom in an intense, structured Burgundy that is going to require quite a bit of time. This is classic Renardes in its power and muscle, yet all the elements fall into place gracefully. Smoke, iron, chalk and a host of mineral-infused notes support the finish. I find the balance of fruit and structure here absolutely compelling.