Corton Charlemagne

It is said that Charlemagne's wife, Luitgarde, ordered the replanting of the Hill of Corton with white grapes, as she had grown tired of his red stained beard. The less romantic say that the elevation of the south westerly slopes, with clay rich marly soils, across the younger Jurassic strata, is perfect for growing Chardonnay. Whatever the reason, we do know that wine from this hill has been celebrated and drank for over a thousand years.

In my mind it is the greatest of the Grand Cru. Complex, delicate and refined with a subtle mineral flinty concentration and power. Bonneau Du Martray, the largest and most celebrated domaine on the hill, is the perfect expression of this. The vineyards are located on the southwest facing side of the hill.  This gives the grapes a little late evening sunshine - an important factor in the magical properties of their wine and its ability to age with such grace.

I first tasted the 1992 Corton Charlemage Grand Cru, Bonneau de Martray, in Singapore in 2014. We may have had the perfect bottle at the perfect time, but it is one of the greatest wine experiences of my life. I never thought I would see this wine again and in such perfect condition as well. With a further eight years of bottle age, perhaps it will be even more complex and exciting?

Auction Details

Thursday 28 April | 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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