Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

Pairs with Guinea fowl ballotine stuffed with foie gras and armagnac.

Situated on the hill where the Grands Crus of Corton are located. Facing due east, the vineyard overlooks the village of Ladoix-Serrigny and goes up to the edge of the forest. The vineyard is steep and very chalky, which confers an intense mineral quality.

Alcoholic fermentation and ageing took place entirely in oak barrels. 100% malolactic fermentation Duration of ageing : 22 months

Whole bunches of grapes were handpicked into small crates and pressed in a pneumatic winepress. The juice was cold settled after pressing for 12-14 hours under temperature- controlled conditions.

For years Domaine Jacques Prieur was in a slow and seemingly terminal decline with quantity rather than quality being the byword. The guardian angel arrived in the form of Mercurey-based négociants Antonin Rodet in the late 1980s. Rodet's oenologist Nadine Gublin has been the driving force behind the renaissance in quality which now rivals the very finest producers on the Côte. The Domaine is today owned 70% by the Labruyère family and 30% by the Prieurs.The roots of the revival lie in the vineyards where fewer pesticides and herbicides are being used and come harvest time there is now a far more rigid selection of the best fruit. The results are a revelation. They have an exceptional range of grand cru vineyards – including the grandest of the grand such as Montrachet Musigny and Chambertin. But perhaps because the domaine’s holdings are dispersed up and down the Côte that it has not enjoyed the first rate reputation that one might have expected. The wines are certainly good but perhaps just short of the flair which would place them in the very top division. There is a conscious decision to pick relatively late and make flamboyantly full-bodied wines.