Vincent Ravaut - Corton - Les Hautes Mourottes 2007

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Corton is an Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) and Grand Cru vineyard for red and white wine in the Côte de Beaune subregion of Burgundy. It is located on a hill shared between the three villages of Aloxe-Corton, Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix in the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. The appellation covers the lower parts of the Corton hill and includes several subordinate vineyard names, or climats, within the AOC. Because of the size of the AOC and the variability of these climats, it is the rule rather than the exception that the name of the climat is indicated together with that of the Corton AOC, leading to designations such as Corton Clos du Roi and Corton Les Bressandes. Corton is rare in this aspect, as the 'climat' is seldom used for other Grand Cru appellations in Côte d'Or. The AOC was created in 1937.

Corton wines are mostly red (around 95 per cent of the total production in the AOC) and made from the Pinot noir grape, however a smaller quantity of white Corton from Chardonnay is also produced. Around 500,000 bottles a year are produced from the vines.

The Corton appellation itself is the Côte de Beaune's only Grand Cru appellation for red wine, and is the largest Grand Cru of Burgundy.

Vincent Ravaut Description

We think of Corton as bold, earthy and – especially – muscular. A wine with lots of dark fruit and firm, powerful tannic structure. Which makes this direct from the winery release a revelation. When first opened, it’s very Corton at age 15: truffle, damp earth, forest floor, some cherry fruit, lots of gripping tannins. With just 30 minutes of air, though, it transforms. The fruit becomes super-pure and fresh, turning to strawberry/raspberry in character to perfectly balance the maturing Burgundy notes of cured tobacco, sweet spice, fresh earth and leather.

The mouthfeel is silky on entry and midpalate before firm Corton tannins come up to squeeze your palate and drive the ripe fruit flavors through a long, mouthwatering finish. As your mouth waters and the tannins resolve, a lovely perfume of red berries, currants and cranberries lingers with lightly earthy, menthol, notes on top. Captivating and likely to hold at this very lovely place for 5-10 years more.