Domaine Caroline Frey : Corton-Charlemagne Grand cru "1952 Le Corton Vieilles Vignes" 2020

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru "1952 Le Corton Vieilles Vignes" 2020

Tasting

Colour
This white wine reveals a beautiful golden, brilliant colour, enhanced by subtle pale highlights that reflect its great purity.

Nose
Complex and deep, the bouquet reveals a pronounced mineral and saline dimension. It opens with seductive notes of honey and toasted bread, inherited from its time in barrel.

Palate
The palate offers remarkable power while maintaining a perfect balance between generous substance and beautiful acidic freshness. The well-defined structure extends into a long finish where the delicious honeyed and toasted notes reappear, underscored by discreet oak.

Food and wine pairing

This great white wine pairs wonderfully with seafood and noble shellfish such as lobster with beurre blanc, langoustines or oysters. It also elegantly accompanies delicate fish like turbot in cream sauce, roasted poultry, white meats in mushroom sauce, or even cold duck foie gras.

Service and storage

To reveal its full aromatic complexity, it is recommended to serve this wine after moderate aeration, at a temperature between 12 and 14°C. This age-worthy wine can be enjoyed now, but will develop optimally until around 2030, with the capacity to age gracefully over several decades for patient wine lovers.

The richness and minerality of a great white Burgundy wine

The estate

Originally founded in 1923 under the name Château de Corton-André, the estate was acquired by the Frey family in 2014. Today, Domaine Caroline Frey spans seven hectares in the heart of Burgundy. Led by Caroline Frey, a passionate winemaker, the estate stands out for its caring viticultural philosophy, focused on respecting nature and preserving the terroirs. Although Caroline has recently stepped back from operational management, the Jean-Jacques Frey family continues to watch over this exceptional heritage, deliberately limiting production to prioritize excellence.

The vineyard

The vines that give rise to this Corton-Charlemagne flourish on the prestigious Corton hill, forming a natural amphitheater between 250 and 330 meters in altitude. The terroir consists of clay-limestone soils, blending rich marls with Oxfordian-era limestone, offering an ideal exposure. Cultivated according to certified organic and biodynamic farming principles since 2021, these old vines, whose name pays tribute to the historic plantings of 1952, draw deeply on the mineral elements that shape this cru's identity.

The vintage

The year 2020 stood out for its historic early ripening, beginning with budbreak three weeks ahead of schedule. The summer was marked by intense heat and a lack of rainfall, leading to significant water deficit. This dry climate, however, ensured exceptional health of the berries, spared from disease. The harvest, carried out entirely in August, yielded grapes with a remarkable balance between ripeness and freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking takes place in a contemporary winery designed for plot-by-plot work. The grapes are vinified in custom-made concrete tanks, tailored to the specific yields of each climat. The wine then undergoes barrel aging, adding subtle aromatic complexity while preserving the tension and purity of the fruit.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay