Bouchard Pere & Fils, Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2012

robert_parker92

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

The 2012 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, comes from 2.4 hectares of vines located close to the top of the top of the hill, has a crisp, stony bouquet with apple blossom and lime flower, gently unfurling in the glass but needing a little more vigor. The palate is well-balanced with a slightly viscous opening, notes of tangerine and grapefruit, later a welcome twist of bitter lemon lending energy on the finish. Drink now-2028. Although I tasted the wines of this Burgundy grand maison in London, I spent a morning with winemaker Philippe Prost to go through at least part of their large portfolio to get an insight into Bouchard Pere & Fils. Ever since Michel Bouchard established the house in 1731, it has been a permanent fixture in Burgundy, surviving seizure by the State after the Revolution, phylloxera, two World Wars and periods when the world simply was uninterested in Burgundy. Today they own 130 hectares of vines, more than any Bordeaux chateau, including 12 grand crus and 74 premier crus. Importer: Henriot Inc. and John E. Fells in the UK.

robert_parker91

Reviewed by: Neal Martin

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2012 tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru from Bouchard Père has a well defined bouquet, the oak present but more integrated than Sylvain Loichet’s: subtle with hints of white flowers and minerals developing with aeration. The palate is balanced and poised, the acidity well judged and combines well with the viscosity. It comes across as quite an understated and feminine Corton-Charlemagne that I was hoping would improve in the glass, but instead, it seems to lose some of its initial promise.