Corton 2015 is a red Grand Cru from the Côte de Beaune region, and is a wine made by Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from Pinot Noir grapes grown in three distinct climats on the Corton hillside: Le Clos du Roi, Les Bressandes, and Les Renardes. The domaine has farmed these leased vineyards since the 2009 harvest, and it took several vintages for the wine to develop a distinct character. 2015 was one of the years in which that character truly emerged.
Growing conditions were favorable. Following a mild winter that left the soil well-hydrated, flowering began early and concluded quickly, resulting in exceptionally uniform ripening throughout the entire grape cluster. Although the summer was dry and often hot, rainfall in August somewhat alleviated the severity of the drought. As a result, small, compact clusters with thick skins, rich in pigment and containing well-ripened tannins, were harvested. Yields were average.
Corton is the only red Grand Cru in the Côte de Beaune region. Although it has a more robust structure than the Vosne wines, it is immediately recognizable as coming from the same winery.
Robert Parker (94)
The 2015 Corton Grand Cru is developing brilliantly, showing even more depth and dimension than it did a few years ago. It unwinds in the glass with notes of wild berries and plums mingled with licorice, subtle spices and petals. Full-bodied, rich and layered, with lively acids and ripe, powdery tannins, it's muscular and concentrated, with a seamless, enveloping profile and a long, expansive finish. This is still some years from maturity, and it is built to be very long lived.
Jancis Robinson (19)
There is a strange divinity to the aromas of DRC wines, and this has it in spades: the red fruit is poised and understated, interwoven with stemmy character that has a dewdrop sort of freshness to it, somehow. Tremendous clarity on the palate, light tannic chew and tremendous cranberry fruit plus an iron-rich earthiness on the finish. Goes way beyond the limits of most Corton. (RH)
Jasper Morris (96)
Picked 4th September. Aubert de Villaine described this to us as the most perfect vintage, alongside 1999, that he has seen. He remembers driving through the vines on the way back from celebrating the UNESCO inscription of the Climats, and thinking how beautiful they were looking. The wine displays a glowing red to purple colour. There is a massive density of fruit, also strong tannins, clearly an infant. Still a bit earthy, maybe closing down at the moment. The intensity demonstrates a great wine in the making, but the firmer tannins on display at the moment indicate that this should not be touched for five years at least, maybe a decade. The rating is for potential, not current consumption. Tasted Jul 2019.
BOW (8.5)
