Corton Blanc Grand Cru

2016
Chandon de Briailles
France
Burgundy

The winemakers' mother, Nadine, decided to plant Chardonnay in the Corton Bressandes vineyard because she wanted to have some Chardonnay to drink in the mid-term while the Charlemagne was aging! The final blend is eighty percent Corton Bressandes, fifteen percent Corton Chaumes and five percent Corton Renardes. (Renardes is one of the climats that may be classified as Corton Charlemagne.)

An unusual Chardonnay coming mainly from Pinot Noir soils, so quite full, evoking yellow fruits (peach, apricot) and a touch of honey. One new oak barrel was introduced in the 2011 vintage (very little influence overall, approximately five percent of the total), nor lees-stirring, so very elegant and fresh on the finish.

 

91 points
"The rare 2016 Corton Grand Cru Blanc wafts from the glass with aromas of green apple, yellow orchard fruit, peaches, pastry cream and white flowers. On the palate, it's full-bodied, ample and phenolic—structured more like a red wine than a white—with an expansive attack but a taut, chalky finish. Given its format, it could evolve in a very interesting direction in bottle."
William Kelley,
Wine Advocate
January 2019
91-92 points
"(a blend of the top part of Les Bressandes on mother rock and stony Les Chaumes, located below Pouget; in tank awaiting bottling): Healthy bright, pale yellow. More refined on the nose than the Ile de Vergelesses Blanc but still with sexy leesy lift to the aromas of pear and white flowers. Quite smooth and elegantly styled, conveying a plush quality to its pear and lemon drop flavors. Finishes seriously rich and long, with tactile salty minerality giving the wine a sweet/savory quality."
Stephen Tanzer,
Vinous
January 2017

SKU/Code: 
DB6624-16
Product Line: 
Wine
White
Varietal: 
Chardonnay
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic