2005 Domaine Bertagna Corton Les Grandes Lolieres Grand Cru

A powerful red, with floral, kirsch and raspberry flavors. Supple and concentrated, with dense tannins and bright acidity. Seems raw right now, but has the wild character and intense fruit of the appellation. Excellent length. 25 cases imported.

Author: Bruce Sanderson

Good red-ruby. Blackberry, minerals, spices and licorice on the nose. Broad, rich and dry, with somewhat clenched, inky flavors of licorice and chocolate. In an awkward stage today. Finishes with substantial tongue-coating tannins.

Author: Stephen Tanzer

Issue: March/April 2007

The 2005 Corton Les Grandes Lolieres (from the Ladoix side of the mountain, and tasted pre-assemblage) offers spiced sweet cherry and plum aromas with a hint of chalk dust. On the palate, bright fruit is strongly inflected by fruit pit bitterness and chalky minerality, themes that carry into the wine's bright, treble finish. As with most of these wines today, this wears its structure rather obviously, and one is entitled to ask whether a Grand Cru ought not to have nobler tannins.

Author: David Schildknecht