Chandon de Briailles : Corton Grand cru "Bressandes" 2017

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Corton Grand Cru "Bressandes" 2017 from Chandon de Briailles

Tasting

Color

The wine displays a deep ruby-red hue, with the characteristic translucency at the rim revealing magenta highlights that speak to the wine’s youth.

Nose

The nose reveals intense aromas of ripe red fruits and black cherry, accompanied by subtle hints of violet and damp earth. Notes of black fruits, licorice, blood orange and dark cherries also emerge, with a mineral dimension in the background and delicate touches of vanilla and oak.

Palate

On the palate, the wine seduces with its silky texture and perfectly integrated tannins, virtually grain-free. The structure is refined and mineral, enhanced by a touch of richness from barrel aging. The whole is intense and energetic, with fine concentration and a delicately spicy finish that highlights the richness of the terroir. The remarkable length confirms the quality of this grand cru.

Food and wine pairings

This Corton Grand Cru "Bressandes" 2017 is an ideal match for roasted red meats such as beef tenderloin or rib steak, feathered and furred game, as well as aged cheeses such as Époisses.

Serving and cellaring

The Corton Grand Cru "Bressandes" 2017 is best enjoyed at 16°C. Decanting for around 30 minutes before serving allows the wine to fully express its aromatic complexity. This wine can be cellared until around 2047, with an optimal drinking window between 15 and 20 years after the vintage.

An elegant, mineral grand cru from Burgundy from Domaine Chandon de Briailles

The estate

Founded in 1834 in Burgundy, Domaine Chandon de Briailles covers 13.7 hectares in the Côte de Beaune, in Savigny-lès-Beaune, Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton, with 12 crus including Corton. A pioneer of biodynamics as early as 2005 and Demeter-certified in 2011, this estate—managed since 2001 by Claude and François de Nicolay—practices horse-drawn plowing and minimalist, natural winemaking.

The vineyard

The Climat of Bressandes, nicknamed the “Queen” of Corton, sits halfway up the slope on the eastern side of the Hill of Corton, benefiting from an ideal south and south-east exposure. The deep soils are composed in equal parts of limestone and clay, with iron-rich elements and small stones that promote fast drainage. This geological makeup gives the wine its characteristic minerality and elegant structure. The Corton Grand Cru "Bressandes" 2017 comes from four mid-slope plots, farmed biodynamically.

The vintage

The 2017 vintage in Burgundy began with a cold, dry winter, followed by an early spring with budbreak one week ahead of schedule. The summer proved warm and sunny, notably with an exceptionally bright month of June. A period of summer water stress was eased by welcome rains at the end of August, enabling the grapes to reach optimal ripeness. Harvest began on September 1st and took place over a relatively long period. The grapes arrived at the winery in excellent health, with thick skins and sound fruit, producing balanced, elegant wines with strong aging potential.

Vinification and aging

The Corton Grand Cru "Bressandes" 2017 was vinified with a proportion of whole clusters, bringing freshness and aromatic complexity while preserving the finesse of the tannins. Fermentations started naturally thanks to indigenous yeasts in wooden vats. Aging took place over 18 to 20 months in oak barrels, with a maximum of 20% new oak; the remainder was made up of barrels that had already been used for five to eight years. The wine was neither fined nor filtered before bottling, thus preserving its natural texture and aromatic complexity.

Grape variety

100% pinot noir