Why no love for red Corton?

WINE TALK
1

I can’t remember the last time I saw a TN for one. What’s the deal? Was Corton ever in fashion? Seems to me like the hill is the last holdout for Grand Cru Burgundy under $100, yet it never gets mentioned. [scratch.gif]

2

lots of fans here. i see stuff once in a while. i love corton but it does take a while to come around. a recent 1985 drouhin was excellent. and i had a nice stash of 1989 leroy renardes that was just off the friggin charts – wish i had more.

3

There is a huge amount of Corton so the lack of a rarity factor keeps the price down. It used to be very much in fashion. The fact that it takes a long time to come along may be a big factor why that’s no longer the case. Other factors: as with any appellation so large, quality is going to be variable and there will be some lousy producers affecting the reputation. Also, the multiplicity of all the lieu-dits like Languettes, Marechaudes, Hautes-Mourottes might take some of the cachet away from the Corton name. Anyway, fashion is fickle and now that DRC is making Corton it stands to reason that the appellation will grow at least a little in esteem.

4

Funnily enough I’ve just finished the first of a case of Corton Rognets 92 from Domaine Chevalier. Very Bordeaux like in structure , full of raspberries and fire and altogether very attractive though in need of more age in spite of the tenderness of the vintage. Certainly of grand cru weight and depth though unmistakeably not of tne cote de nuits.

5

Mine are all sleeping.

Love them when mature

6

I agree with Keith. For me it is akin to buying a Clos de Vougeot - it is a large grand cru - with lots of variability in quality. Prices are lower for grand cru but you get what you pay for. My limited experience has been the risk that they will drink more like premier cru in quality than grand cru. I think you need to pay very close attention to the producer (always the case but perhaps more-so here).

7
  1. Many are weedy and undeserving of grand cru status.
  2. Most need 20-40 years to shine and people are impatient.
  3. It’s a confusing grand cru to buy with confidence unless one has lots of experience.

alan

8

TN: 1978 Bouchard Corton - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers" onclick=“window.open(this.href);return false;
TN: 1966 Maison Leroy Corton - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers” onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
here are a couple Corton threads I started, one of which received no responses . . .
alan

9

A thread on a Corton tasting

Aloxe-Corton - WINE TALK - WineBerserkers" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

10

I sometimes find relatively older red Cortons still available in local retail stores, I suppose due to their lack of popularity. Usually they are quite reasonably priced. So far, I’ve been lucky. A 2000 Meo Clos Rognet and a 1996 Girardin Perrieres sampled in the last 6 months have been just fine.

Cheers,
Doug

11

I have been buying the Domaine Prince Florent de Mérode wines since the '02 vintage, so these should be even more interesting now that DRC has taken over the vineyards…might also help bring some more focus to the area also…

12

Because they taste like a steel bar a couple of years after bottling. There I said it.

Mine are still sleeping. [cheers.gif]

13

'97 Leroy Corton Renardes…To die for if you get a good one.

14

No lack of love here for Tollot-Beaut’s Corton-Bressandes.

15

I agree. I will be posting a TN soon on this wine…

Paul

PS Unlike Alan, I have not had the weedy ones. They are usually assertive, rarely elegant, occasionally heavy/clumsy. But on average they are good values. I also disagree with the idea that you get what you pay for. Certainly not true in Burgundy. You can get a great [for its appellation] village wine for little money and a disappointing name-producer grand cru for a LOT of money.

16

I think what is meant is that you get what you pay for given a lifetime’s experience in Burgundy purchasing!

17

The Faiveley Clos des Cortons in a good year will impress. I’ve also liked the wines of Marius Delarche.

David Kubiak

18

The last few Cortons I’ve had ranged from quite good to excellent. My selfish vote is to keep them lovelorn.

RT

19

I agree with everything Alan said, except I don’t think they need quite as long as he does, but we have different taste in that arena I think.

The growers that I buy most frequently are Edmond Cornu and Chandon de Briailles.

20

Edit: Any Leroy Corton Renardes.