Domaine Louis Latour, Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru, Bourgogne, Frankrig
Beskrivelse:
Pierre Rovani i Robert Parkers The Wine Advocate 146 Apr 2003
"Potentially the finest Corton-Charlemagne Louis Latour has fashioned in years, certainly since the 1995, the 2001 bursts from the glass with oak-laced spices and minerals. There is great depth and density to its layered, powerful core. Loads of minerals and gravel interplay with pears in its satin-textured, focused personality. What will determine this wine's future is the juicy lemon notes that it revealed in its exceptionally long finish. If they remain in the background my score will ultimately seem conservative. Projected maturity: 2004-2012.
Maison Louis Latour appears to have faired significantly better than many of its fellow negociants in 2001. "We are very surprised, these were hugely acidic prior to malolactic fermentation but really good afterwards," said Jean-Pierre Jobard, Latour's winemaker. His boss, this firm's director, Louis-Fabrice Latour, added that "we've come to love the 2001 whites with time, they keep improving during elevage and we find that there is, in this vintage, a large step in quality between the village AOC wines and the premier crus." Drink 2004-2012."
(91-94) Point
Burghound
Producer note: I met with several different representatives of Maison Louis Latour and their comments were consistent, essentially saying that they were not particularly happy with their 2001 whites at first but were pleasantly surprised at how well they have turned out; in particular, like many in the Côte d'Or, there were concerns about the high levels of acidity but after the malos, the acid rounded out and integrated well. I was also told that there is a big qualitative difference between the villages level wines and the 1ers and grands crus as well as slightly less alcohol. Most of the wines were bottled in January. As an aside, this is a solid set of wines in the context of the vintage and quality here continues to improve, especially with the whites. (Louis Latour, Inc. who distributes to different importers in each state, San Rafael, CA). As an aside, I had one of the greatest white Burgundies of my life last February and one that took me completely by surprise. I was served a 1959 Latour Corton-Charlemagne at an event in New York and while this is not the place for a detailed note, let me simply observe that it was a thrilling, breathtaking wine that was utterly knee-bending in its grandeur. I was frankly shocked by the riveting purity, magnificent complexity and remarkable freshness with nary a trace of oxidation. A genuinely colossal wine rivaling the greatest examples of Chevalier and Montrachet of my experience.
Tasting note: This is a good deal bigger and certainly more powerful than the Truffières though it does not offer quite the same level of finesse and detail but it is every bit as intense with even more minerality, plenty of sappy extract and dense, mouth coating flavors and fine length. This is also noticeably oaky with good if not exceptional Corton-Charlemagne character and bracing acidity. In contrast to the Referts though, there is at least a reasonable possibility that the oak will ultimately be absorbed as there is good density and the oak, while certainly prominent, does not dominate the flavors as it does in the Puligny.
Score: 89
Fra Latours egen hjemmeside:
Tasting Note
The Corton-Charlemagne 2001 is a dazzling gold. The nose is loaded with intense aromas including candied bananas and subtle oak. The palate is full of youthful exuberance and notes of almonds, vanilla, oak and minerals. This is a huge, powerful, round Grand Cru that is still young but lingers deliciously. Tasted 06/02/03.
Vinification
Barrel fermented with 100% malolactic fermentation, 8 to 10 months ageing in new oak casks.
Description
After the ravages of the phylloxera aphid at the end of the 19th century it was the Latour family that took the now-celebrated decision to tear up the dead Aligoté and Pinot Noir vines and to replace them with Chardonnay. The vineyard of Corton-Charlemagne is situated in the prime area of the hillside of Corton where its southeasterly aspect ensures maximum exposure to the sun. The fruit is harvested as late as possible to guarantee maximum ripeness. This Grand Cru wine has a citrus bouquet with a rich tropical fruit character. It is intensely powerful and fills the mouth with a multiplicity of flavours ending in a fine, steely finish which lingers on the palate for minutes. This wine needs 4 to 5 years to open up and can age for up to 20 years.
