The Hill of Corton sits just north of Beaune, dividing Burgundy’s Côte d’Or in two. Local inhabitants have tended vines here since Roman times. The Emperor Charlemagne (742-814) was a particularly enthusiastic patron of the wines of Corton, and the hill’s most famous whites are still named for him today.
The Hill of Corton is among the only places in Burgundy to produce Grand Crus of both red and white wine. Today we’re excited to release one of each, both from our source at the base of the great hill, the Domaine Ravaut.
The Hill of Corton contains a controversially large number of Grand Crus, but several plots are universally considered great — and today’s Bressandes is among them. Ravaut’s 2016 Corton-Bressandes is inky, intense, bold red wine, but lacking neither elegance nor clarity. Jancis Robinson’s reviewer found “black cherry aromas and full body,” concluding “all the hallmarks of Grand Cru red.”
We’d add notes of woodsy dark aromas, light oak, and raspberry/plum fruits. This should age for decades if desired — based on past experience we’d consider give it another 3-4 years minimum.
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Ravaut Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru 2016
bottle price: $95
The whites of Corton are floral, perfumy and full of energy. Grown on east-facing slopes, Ravaut’s Corton-Charlemagne is at the riper end of the Corton spectrum, making it easier to enjoy young. From a vintage with superb balance, Ravaut’s 2016 Corton-Charlemagne is as good as any we’ve had from them — lively and very long, but beautifully textured with a creamy finish and stony bite.
Jancis Robinson’s reviewer found “vivid apple and citrus” and “good chewy grip.” This wine isn’t good background music, it’s a spellbinding live performance on its own. And when you’ve got a glass open it can be hard to focus on much else.
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Ravaut Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2016
bottle price: $95
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