2016 Corton Greves

Bright medium red. A bit less expressive and deep on the nose than the Pougets, dominated by medicinal dark fruits. Showing considerably less early sweetness, with the red berry and salty mineral flavors coming across as rather bit austere compared to the Pougets. Best today on the pungent, spicy, firmly tannic finish. This is from deeper soil than the Pougets.

The 2016 Corton Grèves Grand Cru was showing quite a bit of oak on the nose but there was more than enough fruit packed behind it. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, a fine bead of acidity with a subtle marine influence surfacing toward the finish that just tapers in when I want it to fan out. But this is a pretty Corton Grèves in the making.

Cask sample. 18–20 months in French oak. Mid crimson. Relatively dark-fruited and rocky on the nose but the fruit shows its sweetness as it opens. Firm, dry and very finely textured, more chalky than chewy. This has depth and, most noticeable of all, excellent persistence. Lingers on and on in its dark, embryonic state. Balanced now and so much more to come. (JH)