When it comes to Burgundy, no name carries the weight or reverence of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. Universally regarded as one of the greatest wine estates in the world, DRC is synonymous with precision, rarity, and timeless elegance. Producing exclusively from Grand Cru vineyards—including their famed monopoles of La Romanée-Conti and La Tâche—DRC’s wines are the pinnacle of collectability. To own a bottle is to hold a piece of vinous history; to drink one is something else entirely.
Even among DRC’s storied offerings, the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is exceptional—a white wine produced in minuscule quantities, showcasing the domaine’s mastery of Chardonnay.
The 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is only the second vintage of this remarkable wine, sourced from 2.9 hectares leased from the legendary Bonneau du Martray estate. A dazzling display of balance, depth, and precision, it reaffirms DRC’s ability to craft whites as profound as their world-renowned reds.
On the nose, the wine reveals a mesmerizing bouquet of crisp pear, green apple, lime zest, hazelnuts, and white flowers, accented by nutmeg, freshly baked bread, and a saline minerality that speaks to its terroir. The palate is full-bodied yet vibrant, with a satiny texture, a brilliant spine of acidity, and a chalky, structuring extract that anchors the wine’s immense power and finesse. Combining the depth and intensity of the 2019 vintage with an extra layer of tension and precision, the 2020 Corton-Charlemagne is a masterclass in Grand Cru winemaking.
Critics have heaped praise upon this vintage, with Antonio Galloni (97) calling it “vibrant and penetrating,” a wine of “class and precision from the very first taste.” Burghound (96) highlights its muscular yet balanced profile, while Wine Advocate (97) notes its layered complexity and long-lived potential. DRC’s meticulous vinification process, including aging entirely in new French oak barrels for 16–20 months, lends the wine its depth and ensures decades of graceful evolution.
Aubert de Villaine, co-director of DRC, described the 2020 vintage as both distinctive and atypical—demanding patience to fully reveal its potential. The Corton-Charlemagne offers a crystalline snapshot of the domaine’s philosophy: every bottle an exquisite representation of its terroir, crafted with a commitment to excellence that remains unmatched.
This is a profound wine—a Grand Cru of immense presence, yet unmistakably ethereal in its Burgundian delicacy. While its vibrant clarity can be appreciated now with careful decanting, its true brilliance will unfold over the next 12–15 years and beyond.
