2013 Corton Charlemagne

The 2013 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a very pretty bouquet, backward of course, but opening with hints of white peach and white flowers, the oak succinctly integrated. The palate is crisp and taut with a keen line of acidity, the 2014 is quite saline-like, with hints of ginger and spice furnishing the finish. This is a very fine Corton-Charlemagne that sits comfortably at the upper end of my banded score from last year. It may improve even further with continued bottle age.

Bright, pale yellow. Tight aromas of mirabelle , crushed herbs, licorice and powdered stone are complicated by a distinctive oyster shell quality and a hint of orange zest. Dense and creamy but juicy too, showing good cut and a light touch. Perhaps not squeaky-clean but the exotic orange zest and mineral flavors carry well on the gripping, slightly bitter-edged finish. This youthfully austere wine needs at least five years of cellaring.

The 2013 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru remains quite young, although it is decidedly delicate, pretty and understated in style. It has also aged exceptionally well thus far. Tangerine oil, orchard fruit, citrus peel and light tropical overtones build effortlessly through to the long, sustained close.