Joseph Drouhin : Corton Grand cru 2020

Tasting notes and serving suggestions for the Corton Grand Cru 2020 from Joseph Drouhin

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a magnificent deep, intense ruby-red color, reflecting beautiful concentration.

Nose

Highly expressive, the nose reveals a complex bouquet dominated by aromas of red and black fruits. With aeration, notes of candied fruit and spices gradually emerge, adding an extra dimension to the overall aromatic profile.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its fine structure and no rough edges. Its velvety, rich texture brings roundness and suppleness, perfectly balancing the tannins. The candied-fruit aromas perceived on the nose carry through to the palate, joined by spicy nuances. The finish—remarkably long and persistent—stands out for its great complexity.

Food and wine pairings

This Corton Grand Cru 2020 is an ideal match for premium red meats, feathered game, as well as aged soft-ripened cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve the Corton Grand Cru 2020 at a temperature of 16°C. This wine can be enjoyed 15 to 25 years after bottling, with cellaring potential that can reach around 40 years under optimal storage conditions.

An elegant, complex Grand Cru from Burgundy from the prestigious Corton terroir

The estate

Founded in 1880 by Joseph Drouhin in Beaune, the Joseph Drouhin House is now run by the family’s fourth generation, represented by Frédéric, Véronique, Philippe, and Laurent Drouhin. The estate spans around 100 hectares of vineyards across Burgundy, from Chablis in the north to the Mâconnais in the south, including 14 Grand Cru appellations. A pioneer in sustainable viticulture, the estate converted its entire vineyard to organic and biodynamic farming as early as the 1990s. The House has also owned vineyards in Oregon’s Willamette Valley since 1987, reflecting its international vision.

The vineyard

Corton is the only Grand Cru appellation for red wine in the Côte de Beaune. The vineyard extends over three communes—Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny, and Pernand-Vergelesses—on the slopes of the famous Corton hill. The plots benefit from a favorable southeast exposure and are planted on soils of clay and small stones, providing excellent drainage. This composition forces Pinot Noir roots to plunge deep into the ground to access water and mineral resources, thereby encouraging the expression of the terroir. The name Corton is said to come from the combination of “curtis” (estate in Latin) and “Othon,” referring to a Roman emperor who is believed to have owned vines on this site.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy stands out for its balanced weather conditions, which allowed the grapes to ripen optimally. The year encouraged excellent concentration of aromatic and structural components, producing wines of remarkable intensity with ideal phenolic ripeness.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes for the Corton Grand Cru 2020 were harvested by hand and placed in ventilated crates to preserve their integrity. After careful sorting, fermentation was carried out with 20% to 50% whole clusters depending on the characteristics of the vintage. Fermentation and maceration took place over 2 to 3 weeks in small open-top vats, using indigenous yeasts. Aging then continued for 16 to 20 months in French oak barrels, 30% of which were new oak. The barrels come from trees selected from France’s high forests, with staves naturally seasoned for three years before assembly. Aging decisions were made exclusively through tasting, favoring sensory evaluation over technical analyses.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir.