Wine Advisor
Pierre Yves Colin Morey, Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2012
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2012 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru was inexplicably showing a little cloudiness in the glass. Still, the nose is beautifully defined, airy and pure with hints of limestone, creme fraiche and freshly sliced apple. The palate is very well-balanced – understated at first and then building in intensity in the mouth and yet, it does not quite deliver the complexity that I was anticipating after the ethereal nose – at least not yet! Give this several years in bottle to let it show what it can do. Readers should check out my video taken with Pierre-Yves onwww.erobertparker.com, where he discusses his impression of the 2012 vintage. He is the prime example of a vigneron that might not possess his own vines, yet creates wines that surpass many of those who do. The bottom line is that volume was approximately 40% to 50% down compared to 2011 (apart from St. Aubin that was only 20% to 25% down.) Pierre-Yves explained that his 2012s displayed much higher acid levels compared to 2011 and opined that they will be shy at the beginning. He expressed the importance of not wishing to “push” the wines, so that he could stay true to what he feels is a more classic vintage in the mold of 2007 and 2010. Tasting through the complete set of 2012s, Pierre-Yves clearly had a firm grasp on the vintage and his wines were (again) a cut above the rest, from his generic white Burgundy to his clutch of grand crus. Importer: A Daniel Johnnes Selection, imported by Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; tel. (516) 677-9300; also imported by Bertin Henri Selections, 10900 N.W. 21st Street, Unit 180, Doral, Florida 33172 tel: (305) 343-4054
About the Producer
Maison Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey is a Burgundy producer based in Chassagne-Montrachet, in the Côte de Beaune subregion. It is known for its fine Chardonnay wines, and has most of its vineyard holdings in Saint-Aubin. The estate was established in 2005 by husband-and-wife team Pierre-Yves Colin and Catherine Morey, both children of esteemed Burgundy winemakers. Colin had been winemaker at his family's winery since 1995 and in 2001 started a négociant business with his wife. In 2005, he left the family estate to establish his own label with his six-hectare (15-acre) share – the rest of the Colin vineyards remained with his three siblings (Caroline, Joseph and Damien, who run Domaine Marc Colin). Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey has holdings in several premier cru sites in Saint-Aubin and Chassagne-Montrachet including Chatèniere, Champlots, Remilly, Chenevottes and Caillerets. On top of this, the domaine buys grapes to make wines from several grand cru vineyards, including Bâtard-Montrachet and Corton-Charlemagne. The estate predominantly makes Chardonnay, but also produces a small amount of Pinot Noir from Saint-Aubin and Santenay. In the cellar, Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey does not employ battonage but favors lengthy lees contact and barrel aging. The wines are bottled without filtration and often without fining.
