Critic ratings
vinous
2018
Rating:
90
–90
The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru offers peaches and cream on the nose. It is nicely defined, with moderate complexity and not much in the way of mineralité. The palate is balanced with a sappy entry, fine acidity and good weight. Yet, it lacks a little tension and complexity on the finish. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting.
vinous
2018
Rating:
94
–94
The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru was bottled in May alongside the Folatières, as they wanted to keep them longer in tank. It delivers on the promise of last year’s showing with beeswax and citrus lemon notes, although it might just have closed up a little since bottling. The palate is vibrant and energetic, very smooth in texture, offering lovely white peach, almond and white Chinese tea notes toward the finish. I suspect that this will surpass the 2019.
vinous
2018
Rating:
91
–93
The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru comes from the Le Charlemagne lieu-dit, the 0.30 hectares oriented west. It has an attractive, pure bouquet of citrus lemon, passion fruit, orange blossom and beeswax aromas that gain intensity in the glass. The palate is crisp and taut on the entry, with a fine bead of acidity, and quite saline. I would like a little more depth and volume toward the second half in order to reflect this Grand Cru, though the spicy finish is appealing. Give it two or three years in bottle. Very fine.
vinous
2019
Rating:
90
–92
The 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, located in Le Charlemagne, was strangely muted on the nose when I tasted it and had a hard time following on from the excellent Les Folatières. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, quite saline in the mouth and impressively precise on the finish. Hopefully the aromatics will improve by the time of bottling. I need to be more moved by this.
robert_parker
1996
Rating:
91
–94
According to Castelnau, the estate's Corton-Charlemagne parcel is located in the very center of the vineyard. The wine was produced from grapes harvested at 13.7 natural potential alcohol, rather high by Burgundian standards. An intense, powerful, and super-ripe nose reminiscent of creamy, malty vanilla with oak spices is followed by a massively deep, rich, broad, and expansive full-bodied personality. This awesome wine unleashes layers and layers of oily fruit, yet it has outstanding delineation and focus. Projected maturity: 2001-2006.
The rating, with the range of scores in parentheses, indicates the wine was tasted from cask, not bottle.
I am extremely impressed with Castelnau's efforts, particularly considering it is only his second vintage. But he needs to get these wines in the bottle without eviscerating them - and that's the tricky part.
Represented by Domaines et Saveurs Collection, Jeanne-Marie de Champs, French Fax: 33-3-80-22-58-25.
robert_parker
1997
Rating:
90
–93
Harvested at a whopping 14% natural potential alcohol, the 1997 Corton-Charlemagne is a terrific wine. Mouthwatering aromas of toasted hazelnut covered creme brulee are interspersed with honeysuckle blossoms and loads of spices. This super-rich (Chardonnay essence), dense, thickly-textured wine will appeal to hedonists the world over. Its oily layers reveal toasty minerals, tropical white and yellow fruits, all awash in delightfully sweet new oak flavors. While the high level of alcohol is apparent in its long finish, it appears counter-balanced by this offering's massive fruit. Readers who appreciate top-flight California Chardonnays will adore this Corton. Moreover, if it develops some elegance and finesse as it completes its elevage, my score will appear conservative. Anticipated maturity: 2001-2006.
Represented by Domaines et Saveurs Collection, Jeanne-Marie de Champs, French Fax: 33-3-80-22-58-25.