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96
/ 100
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96
/ 100
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96
/ 100
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94
/ 100
Tasting Notes
The Charlemagne climate, the historical heart of the Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru appellation harmoniously rounds off the hill of Corton on its western side. The vines facing west are exposed to the sun from mid-morning until sunset, a unique feature in Burgundy. The air circulation caused by the neighbouring hills ventilates the vineyard and preserves the freshness of the grapes. Bonneau du Martray's vineyard run from top to bottom of the hill, where the thickness of the clays, silts, marls and different types of limestone make up a mosaic of soil with very different requirements and results: the parcels at the foot of the forest on the top of the hill give the wine a crystalline appearance, with floral and citrus fruit notes. The vines in the heart of the hill structure the wine and bring grain to it, while the parcels at the bottom of the hill, richer in minerals, bring the power of Charlemagne. The composition of this unique Bonneau du Martray cuvée reflects the complexity and richness of this great terroir, the most authentic representation of Charlemagne's terroir.
When the fruit is received at the winery, a light crushing of the berries takes place before pressing. This allows a gentle extraction of the aromatic quintessence of the vintage.
After settling, fermentation takes place in a combination of new and aged French oak barrels. Each barrel is followed with great care until its first racking. At this stage the blending starts. The resulting lots continue their ageing on their fine lees through a second winter. At the end of this period, the wine is racked a second time to separate its remaining lees. It is then moved to tanks for two additional months to assure homogenization. The wine is finally bottled during a waning phase of the moon.
Tasting Profile
- Light
- Full
- Sweet
- Dry
- Low Acidity
- High Acidity
Classification: White
Variety: Chardonnay
Vintage: 2017
Bottle Size: 750ml (Bottle)
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Corton-Charlemagne
Alcohol %: 13.0%
Cellaring: 15 Plus Years
Scores
96 / 100"Anyone who feared that quality would drop after a change of ownership at this historic domaine will be happy to know that this grand cru white is as good as ever. Blending components from three different terroirs and altitudes, it's an elegant, textured, saline white of incredible precision and understated power, with subtle toasty oak and undertones of jasmine and lemongrass."
- Decanter
96 / 100
"The 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is showing superbly from bottle, wafting from the glass with a complex and beautifully integrated bouquet of pear, citrus oil, toasted sesame, warm bread, oyster shell and white flowers. On the palate, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with a racy spine of acidity and superb concentration without weight, followed by a long, defined finish. Surpassing the high expectations I formed a year ago, this would appear to be the finest wine produced at Bonneau du Martray for over a decade."
- The Wine Advocate
96 / 100
"Richness and energy come together so well in the 2017 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru. Time in the glass brings out the wine's curves, but the 2017 is so young, especially when tasted next to some of the older wines in this mini-vertical. Lemon confit, marzipan and white flowers add that extra touch of inner perfume and sweetness that is so compelling in this vintage. The 2017 is such a promising Charlemagne."
- Antonio Galloni
94 / 100
"An elegant, pure and admirably fresh nose flashes notes of smoked green apple, mineral reduction and white flower scents. The racy but lacy middle weight flavors possess both excellent detail and an abundance of minerality before culminating in a refreshing, dry and clean finish that is less austere than usual. This classic CC is almost Chablis-like in its minerality and cut and should age well over the next decade."
- Allen Meadows
