Strong spring winds blew before many vines had been trained, causing the exposed vines on the Corton hillside to lose their new shoots, which in turn reduced the yield. Cool, cloudy, and rainy weather had already delayed flowering, and combined with coulure and millerandage (a phenomenon resulting in reduced yields and small, uneven clusters), the harvest yield was inevitably lower from the start. Subsequently, in July, a hailstorm struck, causing selective damage from the northern edge of Meursault part-way across the hill of Corton. Within the affected area, yields varied widely, ranging from full yields to complete crop failure.
However, summer finally arrived in the last days of June, and July and August saw a stretch of fairly warm weather. By September, temperatures cooled again, pushing the harvest date back toward October. Domaine de la Romanée Conti brought Corton 2013 in during early October; the domaine explains that while this timing was typical 30 years ago, it has become rare in recent decades. Yields were low or very low throughout Burgundy, and even lower in Corton.
Robert Parker (92)
The 2013 Corton Grand Cru already has a precise bouquet with dark berries and light floral scents, not a million miles away from the 2010. The palate is medium-bodied, nicely structured, distant at first, but warming to you. There is a slight earthiness toward the finish that is precise and focused with a dash of white pepper near the finish. This should evolve into a quite splendid Corton Grand Cru.
Jancis Robinson (18)
Very sweet and almost candified. Relatively light nose compared with the Vosne wines from this hallowed stable. Racy and accomplished but less obviously a standout than the more established DRC wines. Very elegant and racy. Lots of lift and more class than most Cortons. (JR)
Jasper Morris (93)
Picked 3rd October. Fine mid red, clear throughout, the very first signs of maturity. The nose takes a little coaxing. One or two chocolate notes at first. Then a real burst of clear deep red fruit, cherry notes, really juicy, only very slightly austere. Blood red notes, a certain meatiness perhaps, but a very good result in a difficult vintage.
