Louis Latour Corton Charlemagne 2018

# 6 OF 2021 :: WINE SPECTATOR TOP 100 WINE OF YEAR :: Owned and managed by the Latour family to this day, Maison Louis Latour is headed by Louis-Fabrice Latour. Domaine Louis Latour covers 48 hectares of vineyard, from the red Grand Cru of Chambertin and Romanée-Saint-Vivant in the Côte de Nuits to the white Grand Cru of Corton-Charlemagne and Chevalier-Montrachet in the Côte de Beaune. The company went from strength to strength during the 19th century culminating in the purchase of these exceptional sites. Today, Louis Latour's vineyards, represent the largest holding of Grand Cru vineyards in Burgundy. 

After the ravages of the phylloxera epidemic at the end of the 19th century the Latour family took the then unusual decision to tear up the dead Aligoté and Pinot Noir vines and replace them with Chardonnay. This decision led them to create one of Burgundy's most celebrated white whites : Corton-Charlemagne. Today the Latour family owns 10.5 hectares which makes them the biggest owner in the appellation. The Latour's Corton-Charlemagne vineyards are located on a prime section of the Corton hillside where the south-easterly aspect ensures maximum exposure to the sun. The fruit is harvested as late as possible to guarantee maximum ripeness. The average age of their vines is 30 years and the soils are of stony limestone. All fruit is handpicked. Cellaring potential is 10-15 years. 

Made with traditional methods in oak barrels with complete malolactic fermentation then aged 8 to 10 months in medium-toast oak barrels, 100% new, from the Louis Latour oak cooperage. The Corton-Charlemagne 2018 is a powerful, complex wine. Its nose is intense, with notes of white stone fruits such as white peach, fresh hazelnut, vanilla, almond paste and roasting. The wine is full-bodied for the palate, and the vanilla is complemented by aromas of fresh almond and lime blossom. The experience ends with a very fine aromatic aftertaste that has subtle saline notes. Pair with shellfish, lobster, foie gras, foie gras pâté, fish or mature French cheeses.