2017 Millemann, Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru comes from the debut vintage for Pierre Millemann's boutique range. Three barrels were produced, aged in 100% new oak. It has a rich and pith nose, with hints of nougat and wax resin permeating the lightly honeyed fruit. The palate has density and weight, a proper old-school Corton-Charlemagne with stem ginger livening up the finish. Weighty and perhaps showing just a tad too much oak, I would afford this a couple more years in bottle.

A father-daughter team (parents from Loire and Alsace). Has worked all over France and Germany, Jura, Champagne etc. No track record, no big name, first time he’s made wine under his own name. Stephanie is the wife, Charlotte is the daughter. He is a consultant in Burgundy and is a consultant of the guys he buys the grapes from. One barrel. This was a very odd wine. A bit of butterscotch on the nose and then it just tasted of pickled onions and garlic. We didn't know what to make of it! (TC)