Domaine A.F. Gros : Corton-Charlemagne Grand cru 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru from Domaine A.F. Gros

Tasting

Appearance

The appearance unveils a pale gold hue with subtle green highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, opening with notes of citrus, notably lemon and lime, accompanied by white stone fruits such as pear. Nuances of toasted almonds and vanilla complete the bouquet, while delicate floral touches appear gradually upon aeration.

Palate

On the palate, this wine expresses finesse and purity of fruit. The structure is characterized by a fullness appropriate for a Grand Cru, while maintaining a mineral tension that dominates the palate. Flavors of stone fruits and citrus are accompanied by pronounced mineral notes, evoking chalk and flint, which persist through to the finish. The integration of wood remains measured, allowing the limestone terroir to express itself fully. The great tension and energy conferred by the underlying mineral component offer remarkable length and vibrancy.

Food and wine pairings

This 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru pairs beautifully with foie gras, whose bitterness finds balance with the wine's asserted minerality. It also harmonizes with noble shellfish such as lobster, crayfish, or crab. Poultry in white sauce, whether roast chicken with butter or veal with cream, constitutes particularly successful pairings. Fish prepared with butter or in creamy sauce, notably grilled fish or sole meunière, highlight the versatility of this wine. Blue cheeses also create harmonious matches.

Service and cellaring

This 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru can be enjoyed now while retaining significant aging potential until around 2035, or even beyond for the best bottles.

A white Burgundy Grand Cru combining minerality and elegance

The estate

Founded in 1988, Domaine A.F. Gros was born from Anne-Françoise Gros's desire to revitalize the family estate by associating it with her husband François Parent's plots. Established in Pommard in Burgundy, the estate now extends over approximately ten to fifteen hectares distributed between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune. Since 2013, Caroline and Mathias Parent, representing the third generation, have gradually taken the operational reins of the estate, with Caroline supervising commercial aspects while Mathias manages viticulture and vinification. Anne-Françoise and François Parent remain involved in the company, with François continuing to supervise cellar operations. The estate distinguishes itself by its philosophy of terroir expression and its minimal intervention approach, producing wines recognized for their finesse and purity of fruit.

The vineyard

Corton-Charlemagne represents one of the most prestigious white appellations in Burgundy, with a history dating back over a thousand years. According to tradition, the vineyard was offered by Emperor Charlemagne to the religious community of Saint-Andoche de Saulieu in 775. The appellation occupies the upper part of the hill of Corton, at altitudes between 280 and 330 meters, with slopes reaching 20 to 23%, among the steepest in Burgundy. This elevation and configuration place the plots in a marginal ripening zone where sun exposure becomes decisive. The geology reflects Jurassic strata, about 145 million years old. The soil composition consists mainly of limestone, clay marls, and rendzinas, with color variations ranging from yellow to ochre and brown. This limestone dominance, combined with the cooler microclimate, produces wines characterized by pronounced minerality and significant acidity.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Burgundy was distinguished by unique climatic conditions. The year was marked by exceptional mildness and critically low rainfall after a winter without serious frost. Spring 2020 presented predominantly sunny and dry weather which caused an exceptionally early budburst. The summer months recorded record temperatures combined with intense solar exposure, creating water stress in many plots. The entire vegetative cycle proved to be shortened by nearly three weeks compared to the 2019 vintage. Fortunately, the harvest period was characterized by relatively cool nights, a decisive factor in preventing damage linked to excessive heat during the final ripening phase. For white wines specifically, the 2020 vintage proved relatively favorable, with reasonable yields and quality ranging from adequate to exceptional. Harvests began on August 23rd for whites in Beaune, marking one of the earliest start dates in recent history.

Winemaking and aging

Harvests for the 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru were carried out manually in late August, reflecting the vintage's advanced ripening schedule. Grapes were harvested in small containers and transported to the Beaune facility, where they underwent a careful first sorting. The fruit went through complete destemming using technology preserving the integrity of the berry skins rather than crushing them. For white wines at Domaine A.F. Gros, the fruit proceeds directly from destemming to pressing, a sequence designed to minimize exposure to oxidation and preserve aromatic freshness. The 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru was fermented in traditional oak barrels, with complete malolactic fermentation during the barrel aging period. The barrel aging program for white wines favors moderate contact with wood, aiming to introduce subtle complexity while avoiding pronounced notes of vanilla and toast. The 2020 vintage benefited from barrel aging of approximately eight to ten months. The oak sources used include barrels produced from wood harvested in the Tronçais forest in Allier, as well as Bertranges and Fontainebleau forests. Bottling was carried out by a gravity system minimizing exposure to oxygen.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay