Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

100% Chardonnay. Jurassic marl soils with chalky layers 10 to 20 cm thick. Whole bunch pressed, lightly crushed. Long alcoholic fermentation in barrel, malolactic fermentation on lees without batonnage. 16 months in French oak, 100% new, light and long soft toast from Allier and Jupilles forests. Fining but no filtration.

Corton Charlemagne is one of the most majestic white grands crus in Burgundy, situated on the upper slopes of the Hill of Corton at the boundary of the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. Marchand Tawse's parcel sits in the prized "Le Charlemagne" climat on the south-facing section of the hill, where steep gradients and chalky limestone soils produce Chardonnay of extraordinary tension, depth and longevity.

2019 was a generous and beautifully ripe vintage, producing wines of remarkable concentration, rich fruit and creamy texture while retaining the underlying mineral freshness that defines great Corton Charlemagne.

Luminous golden with a deeply expressive nose of white flowers, honey, ripe pear, toasted almond and buttered citrus fruit. On the palate the wine is full bodied, rich and precisely tensioned, with a creamy core of fruit, a fine mineral spine and a long, complex finish of extraordinary purity. As posh as it gets. Gold. Complex.

Best served with foie gras, lobster, caviar or turbot in beurre blanc.