2013 Domaine Bonneau du Martray, Corton Grand Cru

The 2013 Corton had completed its malolactic fermentation two weeks prior to my visit in August 2014. "We will probably rack quite soon," Charles told me, "as we like to allow the wine to breathe in stainless steel. The stress from the hail meant that it took two weeks for the vine to recover and restart the growth. We had to spend a lot of time on the sorting table." Lucid ruby in color, there was just a touch of reduction to bypass before one encounters bilberry and blackcurrant aromas that are nicely defined. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannins. There is something quite masculine and structured about this Corton, though the fruit counterbalances the tannins nicely on the saline finish. Nice weight and length, but it will probably need several years in bottle.