2012 Corton Charlemagne
By Domaine Coche-Dury
2012 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury, Burgundy, France
Assessing the grandeur of the 2012 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury unfolds a narrative woven with climatic adversity and meticulous winemaking. This vintage emerges from Burgundy's patchwork of terroirs, a testament to the resilience of Chardonnay in facing the challenges bestowed by nature in that year.
Vintage Report: A Triumph over Climatic Hardship
The 2012 vintage in Burgundy was anything but straightforward, marked by erratic weather that veered from drought in winter to tumultuous spring hailstorms and summer deluges. Yet, it is precisely this bout with the elements that has distilled into a vintage of unexpected triumphs. Domaine Coche-Dury, helmed with exacting standards, has navigated this labyrinth of conditions to extract a 2012 Corton Charlemagne of imperious structure and poise.
Pinnacle of Precision and Depth
The boldness of the 2012 vintage is etched upon the palate, a distinguished balance between richness and acidity. Grasped early on as a year destined for collectors' cellars, this expression resonates with the refined power and fine-grained minerality characteristic of the Coche-Dury touch. Zooming in on its profile reveals an intricate tapestry of ripe stone fruits, interlaced with subtle smoky nuances and whispers of oak - a symphony meticulously composed under the vigilant eyes of artisanal craftsmanship.
Investors have steadily monitored 2012 Corton Charlemagne as it continues its graceful ascent towards peak maturity. A careful orchestration of viticultural resilience and winemaking savoir-faire ensures that those who invest are rewarded with a bottle reflecting not only the prowess of Domaine Coche-Dury but also the narrative arc of an astonishing year for Burgundy wines.
The investment worthiness woven into each bottle is underscored by the impeccable structure and complex flavour palate. As such, those adding the 2012 Corton Charlemagne to their portfolio will find it to be a crowning jewel from a vintage where quality trounces quantity and every sip transports the connoisseur back to a moment when time itself seemed to relent to the mastery of Coche-Dury.
Current market price
£52,090.00
12x75cl
Highest score
97
POP score
3064.12
Scores and tasting notes
Raphel Coche told me that the 2012 Corton Charlemagne was the only vineyard that escaped hail damage this year. It has a very succinct nose, not predisposed to go out and grab you by the lapels. The aromatics unfurl with a sense of ease prioritizing finesse over power: beeswax, linden, lemon thyme and fresh pear. The palate is exquisitely balanced with fleeting glimpses of Seville orange and apricot. But there is more about the tension, the effortlessness and that it just rolls out across the finish like a huge Turkish rug. This is the kind of wine that exhausts superlatives.
Neal Martin - The Wine Advocate, 28 June 2015