In the glass
Aroma: gunflint, citrus, hazelnut, white flower
Palate: lemon, brioche, flint, saline
A cult grand cru white: flinty and reductive, with citrus, hazelnut, gunflint and a saline, endless finish.
What it pairs with
-
Roast turbot in beurre blanc
A rich grand-cru white carries the firm white fish and its buttery sauce without being overwhelmed. -
Poulet de Bresse a la creme
The prized Bresse chicken in cream sauce mirrors a barrel-aged Meursault's weight and nut-and-butter palate. -
Aged Comte
Nutty alpine cheese amplifies a mature Chardonnay's hazelnut and brown-butter notes.
How to serve Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Roast turbot in beurre blanc, Poulet de Bresse a la creme, Aged Comte. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Coche-Dury's tiny Corton-Charlemagne is among the most collected white Burgundies in the world.
- 1940 — Domaine established
- 1973 — Corton-Charlemagne entered the range
Facts
- Producer
- Domaine Coche-Dury
- Grapes
- Chardonnay (100%)
- Classification
- Grand Cru (Aloxe-Corton, AOC)
- Oak
- Around 18 to 22 months in French oak, part new; reductive
- ABV
- 13.5%
- Price
- EUR 3000 to 7000 at retail
- Drinking window
- 10-30 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1973
Scores
- Vinous 96 (2018 vintage, reviewed 2021)
Frequently asked about Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru
What does Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru taste like?
On the nose, gunflint, citrus, hazelnut, white flower. On the palate, lemon, brioche, flint, saline. Structurally full-bodied, high acidity with a long finish. A cult grand cru white: flinty and reductive, with citrus, hazelnut, gunflint and a saline, endless finish.
When should I drink Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru?
Drink 10-30 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru?
Roast turbot in beurre blanc is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Poulet de Bresse a la creme and Aged Comte. A rich grand-cru white carries the firm white fish and its buttery sauce without being overwhelmed.
What grapes are in Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru?
The blend is Chardonnay (100%). The wine is classified as Grand Cru (Aloxe-Corton, AOC).