Bouchard Pere & Fils Corton-Charlemange Grand Cru 2021 750ml
A standout white Burgundy from one of the appellation’s largest historic owners. The 2021 vintage shows aromas of pear, yellow apple, white flowers, fresh bread, and toasted nuts. On the palate, it's full-bodied, bright, and tightly chiseled with notable concentration, acidity, and a chalky mineral spine. A powerful, characterful Chardonnay with excellent ageing potential.
The Wine Advocate | RP 92-94
Published: Jan 31, 2023
The 2021 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru unwinds in the glass with aromas of pear, crisp yellow apple, white flowers, freshly baked bread and toasted nuts. Full-bodied, taut and chiseled, it's unusually concentrated, with a bright spine of acidity and chalky structuring extract. It's a standout of the range and well worth seeking out.
Bouchard-pereetfils.com
An attractive story is told about this appellation: Charlemagne was very fond of the wine from Le Corton which, at the time, was red. Towards the end of the Emperor's life, the vineyards facing south were planted with chardonnay, to produce a white wine to avoid staining his white beard. In 1909, Bouchard P?re & Fils acquired 60% of the prestigious vineyard at Le Corton (i.e. 6.93 hectares) which, has the rare particularity of being planted with either pinot noir or chardonnay. Today, Bouchard Pere & Fils is the third most important owner in Corton-Charlemagne, with 3.65 hectares.
TASTING NOTE: Intense fruit and toasted aromas blended with the mineral notes typical of this appellation on the nose. A rich, powerful wine with a strong personality. Very good ageing potential.
FOOD/WINE PAIRING: Fish and shellfish in sauce, foie gras.
SERVING TEMPERATURE: Between 12C to 14C
AGEING POTENTIAL: 7 to 10 years and more
HARVEST: manual, in small cases of 13 kg. Careful manual sorting of each grape.
VINIFICATION: The pressing takes place in two phases: evacuation of the first juice, then pressing in two-hourly cycles.
MATURING: 12 to 13 months in French oak, with up to 15% new oak, depending on the vintage.
AGEING: The cellars located in the Bastions of the ancient Chateau de Beaune offer ideal ambient conditions. Thanks to their natural hygrometry and constant temperatures, the Grands Crus enjoy from their first youth an environment that is perfectly adapted to tranquil ageing.
GRAPE VARIETY: Chardonnay
EXPOSITION: East
SOIL OF THE APPELATION: Limestone and clay, predominantly limestone
TOTAL SURFACE OF THE APPELATION IN PRODUCTION:52.44 hectares
DOMAIN SURFACE IN PRODUCTION: 3.65 hectares