1990 Corton Charlemagne
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Tasting notes
The 1990 Corton-Charlemagne prompts the question, why cannot everyone do that? After 27 years this is still so energetic and vital, storming from the nose with mineral-rich citrus fruit that are quite Puligny-like in style. The palate is surprisingly focused and linear for a 1990, disguising completely that warmth of that summer (much more than the 1990 Montrachet from Comtes-Lafon served prior to it). There is something regal and imposing about this Corton-Charlemagne, maybe aloof but totally captivating. How I wish all Corton-Charlemagnes aged like this. Tasted at the mature white Burgundy dinner in Hong Kong.
Critic scores
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Robert Parker
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Leroy's 1990 Corton-Charlemagne, is an oaky, bold, dramatic wine, with huge quantities of fruit, glycerin, and what appears to be tannin. Long, dense, and ripe, this wine needs at least 10 years of cellaring; it should keep for 25 years. Some remarkable 1991 white burgundies were produced by Lalou Bize-Leroy. Yields averaged only 9 hectoliters per hectare in her Chardonnay vineyards and alcohol levels averaged 13.5%. These wines will be the longest-lived whites of the 1991 vintage. Although none of the 1990s are as concentrated as the 1991s, they are still fine wines. Importer: Martine's Wines, San Rafael, CA.
About the producer
For many, Domaine Leroy represents the pinnacle of fine Burgundy. Owned and run by the legendary Lalou Bize-Leroy, the domaine in Vosne-Romanée is one strand of the Leroy empire, along with Maison Leroy and Domaine d’Auvenay.