Bouchard Père & Fils : Corton-Charlemagne Grand cru Domaine 2018

The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is performing very well from bottle, offering up inviting aromas of pear, green pineapple, citrus oil, white flowers, lemon curd and fresh pastry. Medium to full-bodied, deep and nicely concentrated, it's muscular and structured, with racy acids and fine reserves of dry extract. This should age with class.

There is a creaminess to the texture in this white, whose profile borders on broad and muscular. Apple, lemon and stone flavors hold center court, while elements of spice and mineral lurk on the lingering finish. Best from 2024 through 2036. 175 cases imported.

Bouchard Père's Corton-Charlemagne hails from a cool, east-facing site on yellow marls soils in Aloxe-Corton and is one of the last parcels to be picked. Fermented in 20% new wood, it's still a pretty rich Grand Cru white, with breadth, texture and a drizzle of honey, but there's also plenty of balancing acidity, sap and minerality. Appealing stuff.

This is very open, with a broad palate showing ripe apples, pineapple and light tropical fruit. Hints of cream. Full-bodied, flavorful and delicious now. It will improve with age, but why wait? Drink or hold.

The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a light waxy nose that lacks a bit of energy. The palate is balanced with orange zest and mango. Not a complex Corton-Charlemagne, but pretty with a lightly spiced, almost Viognier-like finish. Fine, though it does not match the promise that it showed from barrel. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting.

Sublime, highly nuanced floral bouquet, a body of elegance and near-ideal balance, great length already; a wine of great style and great future.