Domaine de la Romanée-Conti : Corton-Charlemagne Grand cru 2022

Tasting Notes and Characteristics of the 2022 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru from Domaine de la Romanée-Conti

Tasting

Appearance
The colour reveals a straw-yellow hue with light golden glints, highlighted by a beautiful brilliance and an evident viscosity that reflects the richness of the wine.

Nose
Particularly expressive and complex, the bouquet exudes rich aromas of ripe yellow and orchard fruits, such as apple and quince. It is enriched with delicate notes of light honey, white flowers and lime blossom, harmoniously blended with touches of hazelnut, fresh walnut, butter and toasted bread, all underpinned by a subtle mineral edge.

Palate
Full-bodied and opulent, the palate seduces with a dense, unctuous texture that envelops the mouth with generous fruit. This richness is perfectly balanced by a firm acid backbone and a chalky minerality. The remarkably persistent finish lingers on saline notes with subtle touches of citrus.

Food and Wine Pairing

This gastronomic white wine pairs wonderfully with noble fish served with a beurre blanc sauce, such as roasted turbot. It also enhances creamy poultry dishes, such as Bresse chicken, or aged pressed-curd cheeses like an old Comté.

Serving and Cellaring

Built for a very long evolution, this 2022 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru needs patience in the cellar to reveal its full complexity. It will be ready to drink until around 2050.

The Richness and Mineral Tension of a Great Corton-Charlemagne White

The Estate

Heir to a winegrowing history dating back to the Middle Ages with the priory of Saint-Vivant, the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti was officially established as a Société Civile in 1942. Located in Vosne-Romanée, this legendary estate in Burgundy, France, is now co-managed by Perrine Fenal and Bertrand de Villaine. The estate cultivates around 28 hectares spread across nine prestigious grands crus. A staunch advocate of terroir-driven viticulture, it stands out for its fully organic and biodynamic approach, very low yields and unwavering pursuit of excellence, producing wines of rare depth.

The Vineyard

The grapes come from a plot of nearly three hectares leased from Domaine Bonneau du Martray since the late 2010s. Located on the upper slopes of the hill, in the villages of Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses, the Corton-Charlemagne terroir benefits from a cooler climate and marl-limestone soils. The vines are farmed according to biodynamic principles, with meticulous soil work including horse ploughing, in order to preserve biodiversity and fully express the singularity of the site.

The Vintage

2022 was marked by warm weather conditions, leading to rapid ripening of the berries. To preserve the freshness and balance of the juice in the face of these summer temperatures, harvesting began early. The picking took place in two stages, starting on 8 September and finishing on 13 September, ensuring optimal ripeness without excess.

Winemaking and Ageing

After an extremely rigorous sorting in the vineyard to keep only the healthiest berries, the grapes, harvested at full ripeness, undergo precise winemaking. This 2022 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is crafted through gentle pressing followed by fermentation and ageing in oak barrels, resulting in a profile that is both powerful, richly textured and perfectly suited to fine dining.

Grape Variety

100% Chardonnay