2021 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Corton-Charlemagne

The 2021 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru was produced, but was not presented in the 2021 vintage release tasting, as yields were prohibitively low.

They now have four parcels, two lower down the slope, one in the middle and one up near the forest, plots leased from Bonneau du Martray. 2019 was DRC's first vintage of Corton-Charlemagne. Vines are 60 years and the yield was just 4.8 hl/ha so they vinified all the parcels together. Harvested 30 September and 1 October 2021. Bottled 8 December 2022. Total production 165 cases of 12. Subtle, lemony, mealy nose, finely herbal. Oak is very subtle, the whole already complex and integrated. A touch of stone dust, even a slight steeliness but no lack of fruit. Bone dry, chalky, really quite a grip on the palate. Needs time. As it opens, there’s all that chalky citrus with a hint of just-ripe apricot.  (JH)

The 2021 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru was decimated by frost and picked at a lowly 4.8hL/ha on September 30 and October 1, the four parcels co-fermented, bottled on December 8, 2022. It has a tightly wound bouquet, a mixture of lemon rind, dried white flowers and a touch of damp earth. Fine delineation, though not complex. The palate is medium-bodied with a slightly honeyed entry, a hint of stem ginger, almond and Conference pears, gaining depth towards the finish (perhaps this would have continued to fill out with more aeration?) This represents a fine Corton-Charlemagne, though I much prefer the more audacious previous vintage. 165 cases produced