2019 Joseph Drouhin, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

A ripe and generous Corton-Charlemagne with a caramelized-pear aroma, but the stony character that’s typical for the site is the dominant aspect of the wine. Serious structure here! Drink or hold.

From holdings located in the south-facing climat Les Languettes, Drouhin produced three barrels of the 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru (Domaine), a medium to full-bodied, layered and nicely concentrated wine that's bright and structured, evocative of white flowers, pomelo, orange oil and buttery pastry.

The 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru was a small yield this year, with just three barrels produced instead of the usual six. It has an understated bouquet of light dandelion and patisserie aromas. The well-balanced palate displays fine delineation and a tang of marmalade toward the finish. This is a nicely composed Corton-Charlemagne, though I wager it will be best consumed within its first decade.

They own only a small parcel in Les Longuettes towards Aloxe. Old vines in the upper part. Just two or three barrels produced in 2019 rather than their usual six. They used to buy in and blend but not any more. Cask sample on lees, to be bottled early 2021. This doesn’t seem better than the Morgeot. It’s sweeter and a bit softer – even a little unfocused. Quite a bit of chew on the end at the moment. (JR)