2020 Corton Grand Cru, Olivier Leflaive

This comes from the steeply-sloped Corton plot known as Les Languettes, which some growers plant with Chardonnay (to make Corton-Charlemagne), while others, as in this case, grow Pinot Noir. Wine-maker Franck Grux had long been wishing to make a really dynamic, red Corton, he told us, and with these grapes, coming from this special section, he has again pulled off a coup. Harvested on 23rd August, giving 13.5 degrees of alcohol, this fermented for 17 days, then was drawn off into one third each of new, 1-year and 2-year-old barrels for ageing. Colour is purple-ruby of medium depth, aromas are ripely fruity, with undergrowth and black fruits. Palate shows concentrated, dense fruit, mouth-coating, chewy texture and generous, gentle tannins, with freshness and length (for drinking 2025-2035+).

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