2003 Corton Grancey
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
Largest landholder in Corton and have been there since 1768. 1980 bought Ch de Grancey and its vines and they use this cuvée name for their best parcels from several vineyards right round the hill. Destermmed and 100% new oak. L Latour is the only high-profile proponent of pasteurisation – wines are flash pasteuristed to stabilise them. Don’t therefore need to fine. Mid garnet, darker than the Follin-Arbelet 2001. Smells sweeter and more 'modern' than above, almost sickly sweet. Riper and sweeter fruit, some citrus. Smells a bit like a mediocre NW Pinot. Oak still pretty evident on the palate and a bit hot on the finish. Plenty of flavour but lacks elegance and terroir. Tannins still have quite a grip, giving a thickness to the texture. Overly sweet and confected. (JH)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
More reviews and scores
Deep crimson. Reduced, markedly, on the nose. Very wild and untamed. Bit sweaty. Very alcoholic (no surprise to see 14% on the label.) Quite chewy as well as hot. Difficult to see that this offers what burgundy lovers seek. Lacks freshness on the nose. And it’s short, and drying on the finish. Bit of a freak. (JR)
About the producer
The Latour family has been growing vines in Burgundy since at least 1731. Their négociant business – today one of the region’s biggest names – was founded in 1797. Still family-owned today, the company owns 48 hectares of vines, 27 of which are Grand Cru, as well as its own cooperage.