Corton Blanc Grand Cru

2018
Chandon de Briailles
France
Burgundy

The hill of Corton is famous mainly for it's reds, the exception being white Corton Charlemagne. However, any chardonnay planted outside of the Charlemagne appellation can be labeled as Grand Cru Corton Blanc, without a vineyard designation. Corton Blanc is quite rare and per Remington Norman, the average total production per year is only 222 cases (Grand Cru). Chandon de Briailles chardonnay is planted in areas domainated by pinot noir; eighty percent comes from the Bressandes vineyard and twenty percent from Chaumes. An unusual chardonnay coming mainly from pinot noir soils, it's quite rich, evoking yellow fruits such as peach and apricot and a touch of honey. Since 2011, the winery has been incorporating a small amount of new oak on this wine.

 

90-92 points
"Aromas of citrus oil, pear, yellow orchard fruit, warm bread and anise introduce the 2018 Corton Grand Cru Blanc, a full-bodied, satiny wine that's lively and saline, its fleshy core of fruit buttressed by ripe acids."
William Kelley,
Wine Advocate
, February 2020
91-93 points
"The 2018 Corton Blanc Grand Cru was the first to be picked this vintage, which is not unusual since the grapes tend to ripen early here (most of the vines are located in Corton-Bressandes and were planted in the 1970s). This has a backward wax resin and apricot blossom bouquet that needs some coaxing from the glass. The palate is livelier than the aromatics thanks to a fine bead of acidity. Notes of clementine, pineapple and lychee form a finish that is clean and precise, though it feels less persistent than other vintages I have encountered at this stage. Still, very fine."
Neal Martin,
Vinous
, January 2020
90-92 points
"An expressive and nicely layered nose freely offers up its aromas of petrol, floral, apple, smoke and discreet citrus rind nuances. There is at once excellent volume and intensity to the very rich, round, concentrated and powerful medium weight plus flavors that coat the palate with dry extract on the slightly tighter finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth."
Allen Meadows,
Burghound
, June 2020
93 points
"The 2018 Corton Grand Cru Blanc mingles aromas of crisp orchard fruit and white flowers with hints of beeswax and nutmeg. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, with chalky structuring extract, lively acids and a fleshy core of fruit, this is another of the Chandon de Briailles whites that surpasses its showing from barrel."
William Kelley,
Wine Advocate
, January 2021

SKU/Code: 
DB6624-18
Product Line: 
Wine
White
Varietal: 
Chardonnay
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic