2020 DRC Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Le Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

“The 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru from the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti has turned out beautifully, offering up aromas of crisp pear and green apple mingled with notions of hazelnuts, lime zest, white flowers, nutmeg and freshly baked bread. Full-bodied, satiny and concentrated, it's ample but incisive, with a vibrant spine of acidity and chalky structuring extract. Combining the depth and intensity of flavor of 2019 with supplemental cut and tension, it's a step up in quality from that excellent debut vintage. Aubert de Villaine had been barely able to contain his enthusiasm for the 2020 vintage when I saw him last year, and looking at the 2020s from bottle with Perrine Fenal at the domaine this year only confirmed why. This is a striking vintage for the Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, which is both very stylistically distinctive—and in that sense, even a little atypical—but which also shows the estate's different terroirs very clearly. The 2020s aren't as sensual and red-fruited as the 2019s; they're deeper-pitched and spicier in profile and will demand more patience, even if both vintages are likely to prove similarly long-lived. The domaine's white wines are also especially successful this year. I've also included tasting notes on the nascent 2021s from barrel, but it's the in-bottle notes, tasted at the domaine in ideal conditions, that are as ever the most important commentaries on each vintage. (WK)” (01/2023)

“A glowing pale yellow with still a green note alongside. The concentration and richness of fruit takes the lead over the oak. (100% new). There is exceptional weight here but it doesn’t become heavy. Now a touch of toast from the barrel, then back to the fruit. Very ripe greengages, along with some citrus, entirely underpinned by the natural minerality. To be as concentrated as this and yet feel entirely balanced is impressive. The acidity is really there, if hidden to some extent by the volume of fruit. It is just a little bit too large scale for dancing with at this early stage, but the 2020 Domaine de la Romanée-Conti Corton-Charlemagne will be very fine. It is a conscious decision by the team to privilege ripeness over minerals.” (06/2023)

“The sophomore 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, from the 2.9 hectares in Le Charlemagne (Aloxe-Corton) and En Charlemagne (Pernand-Vergelesses) leased from Domaine Bonneau du Martray, was picked 7-9 September at 49.3hL/ha. It has killer delineation on the nose, possibly more so than the 2019 last year. Crushed stone percolates through the pressed white flowers and honeysuckle scents. Supremely focused. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, slightly creamy in texture, exactly what I want from a Corton-Charlemagne. With stem ginger and orange rind hints, lovely weight and length, this is quintessential Corton-Charlemagne. Superb. 1,530 cases produced. Tasted at Corney & Barrow's tasting in London. (NM)” (02/2023)

“Ripe yet cool aromas are comprised by notes of Granny Smith apple, spice, white peach, citrus confit, petrol, wet stone and enough wood influence to merit mentioning. There is excellent concentration and obvious power to the caressing and sappy yet muscular big-bodied flavors that terminate in a palate staining, superbly long and attractively dry finale. This impeccably well-balanced effort is sufficiently round that it could actually be enjoyed after only a few years of keeping though it has everything it needs to repay extended keeping.” (06/2024)

“With its lush, ripe apple aromas touched with butter, cream, and spice, the 2020 Corton-Charlemagne says ripe and sunny, but despite the rich texture and density, there is no hint of heaviness. I find the elegance here more compelling than the 2019 vintage. The domaine is pressing the grapes as whole clusters, with a long, slow press cycle that gives juice of great purity that translates into a limpid, elegant wine. Surprisingly, these were the last grapes picked, from 7 – 9 September. 18,362 bottles were produced. (CC)” (07/2023)

“Subtle, lemony, mealy nose, finely herbal. Oak is very subtle, the whole already complex and integrated. A touch of stone dust, even a slight steeliness but no lack of fruit. Bone dry, chalky, really quite a grip on the palate. Needs time. As it opens, there’s all that chalky citrus with a hint of just-ripe apricot. (JH) 17.5/20” (05/2026)