Vinous (94+)

(a 50/50 blend of vines from Pernand and Aloxe, with both parcels picked the same day): Pale green-tinged yellow. Pungent aromas of lemon, lime, apple, crushed stone, nutmeg and medicinal herbs. Wonderfully intense, backward wine with almost painful penetration to its pineapple and crushed stone flavors. Finishes with uncanny aromatic persistence for the vintage. Structured for a graceful evolution in bottle. I wouldn't go near this for at least five or six years.

Tim Atkin MW (95)

The pretty nose does not prepare you for the underlying muscle in this white wine. Plus, it's not rock-hard power; this is incredibly succulent for a Corton Charlie. Hazelnut and shortbread compliment the white nectarine and Rainier cherries. Les Languettes of Ladoix, where the vines are about 50 years old, provides 80% of the fruit and the rest, about 30 years old, comes from the Pernand side of the hill. 2024-40

Tim Atkin MW (95)

The pretty nose does not prepare you for the underlying muscle in this white wine. Plus, it's not rock-hard power; this is incredibly succulent for a Corton Charlie. Hazelnut and shortbread compliment the white nectarine and Rainier cherries. Les Languettes of Ladoix, where the vines are about 50 years old, provides 80% of the fruit and the rest, about 30 years old, comes from the Pernand side of the hill. 2024-40

Vinous (91-93)

From two parcels on the Pernand side and Les Longuettes, around half each, the 2021 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has an intense nose with potpourri and orange blossom mixed with lavender (it reminds me of my grandmother's bathroom, but you are probably not familiar with that.) Anyway, this is beguilingly very aromatic. The palate is fresh and vibrant with orange rind and quince, fine depth, quite "strict" for a Corton Charlemagne with a tangy, marmalade-tinged finish. Fine.

Wine Advocate (94)

Rapet's 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru opens in the glass with aromas of pear, citrus oil, white flowers, hazelnuts and wheat toast. On the palate, it's full-bodied, satiny and textural, with real depth and concentration, its rich and fleshy core of fruit structured around ripe acids and chalky dry extract. In a more gourmand, exotic register, this has turned out very well.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (94-96)

Fine bright lemon and lime colour. The nose is rather toastier, doubtless the barrel speaking, but in an attractive form. A faint reduction. An excellent solid volume here, with density and the vivacious stones which it should have. All the component parts are there in classical balance and this 2020 Corton-Charlemagne is properly persistent. Tasted: October 2021

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)

90% is from the Pernand. Side, a third old vines, a third 20 year old, a third 35 year old. And guess what, the youngest are in the worst condition. Some tressed, some worked by winch. Pale colour, a beautifully mineral nose, properly shows its terroir. The wine picks up speed further back on the palate, opening out very nicely. Very attractive. Drink from 2029-2037. Tasted: October 2023.

Crafted with distinction, the Rene Lequin Colin Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Blanc 2020 hails from the renowned Lequin-Colin estate, situated in the heart of Burgundy's Côte d'Or. This producer, recognised for its commitment to organic viticulture and manual harvesting, reflects the rich complexities of its terroir in every bottle. This particular vintage, an exemplary Chardonnay, is no exception.

On the palate, the Rene Lequin Colin Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Blanc 2020 balances ripe orchard fruits with refreshing minerality, resulting in a harmonious blend of rich and crisp. Its bouquet, filled with notes of citrus and oak, carries further hints of spice that leave a lasting impression.

Earned the Grand Cru status, indicating the utmost quality, this exquisite offering from the Lequin-Colin house should be savoured by any fine wine enthusiast. The Rene Lequin Colin Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru Blanc 2020 is indeed a testimony to great winemaking tradition and craftsmanship.

Vinous (93)

The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has a pure bouquet with white peach and orange blossom scents. A little linseed oil comes through with aeration. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity, a very subtle reduction, poised and quite persistent towards the spicy finish. This is a convincing Corton-Charlemagne that should age with style. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 white tasting.

Vinous (91-93)

The 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru comes from vines located in two small parcels just above Pernand. It has a fragrant bouquet of crème fraiche, yellow flowers, orange pith and apricot. The palate is smooth and nicely focused, offering notes of lime cordial and orange pith, and rounded in texture, with subtle tropical notes toward the finish. Very drinkable even at this prenatal stage.

The Thierry Pillot Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2020 is an opulent showcase of finesse and complexity, perfectly embodying the pedigree of Burgundy's celebrated terroir. Produced by Thierry Pillot, a renowned winemaker from Chassagne-Montrachet, this Grand Cru reflects the mastery of precise, organic viticulture and traditional vinification. This inclusion of old-vine Chardonnay fruit bathes the palate in layers of crisp apple, juicy pear and honeyed-saffron, underscored by a mineral backbone derived from limestone-rich soils.

Grapes are hand-harvested from southerly-exposed limestone-rich vineyards straddling the communes of Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. Following a meticulous fermentation in oak barrels, the wine matures for further 14-18 months, inviting a nuanced experience of creamy texture and nuanced, toasty impressions. Sulphite usage is minimal, respecting the wine's expressive, refined profile. A timeless embodiment of Chardonnay elegance, Thierry Pillot Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2020 is a stellar representation of Burgundy's prestigious Grand Cru pedigree.

Wine Spectator (94)

Intense and minerally, rich but not fat, and racy, evoking lemon, apple and stone notes accented by spicy oak. Still very tightly wound and balanced, this will need time to unwind, or decant if you must drink it now. Best from 2006 through 2015. 400 cases imported. -BS

Vinous (90)

The 2018 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has an attractive bouquet with lemon zest, light peppermint and orange pith notes that burst from the glass. The palate is well balanced with a waxy texture, modest weight with lemon curd, lemon thyme and Clementine towards the finish. Like Girardin’s other 2018s, what it just misses is tension and delineation, but it should give a decade’s drinking pleasure. - Neal Martin

Vinous (90-92)

The 2020 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has an attractive nose with white peach, crushed stone and orange blossom scents, just a hint of white chocolate in the background. The palate is well balanced with a tangy opening, fine acidity although the finish does not quite deliver the same complexity as some of Girardin’s top performing Premier Crus.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-96)

From all three sides of the hill and another plot by the cross called “Quintessence”, which was not possible to make separately in 2021. One third came in grapes from Pernand, the rest sourced as must from Aloxe and Ladoix. Bright mid yellow. An interesting complex nose, huge stony intensity in the middle, impressive for this vintage in this appellation, a lick of vanilla behind, with very good length. Needs plenty more elevage. Drink from 2027-2035.

Vinous (88-90)

The 2019 Corton-Charlemagne "Quintessence" Grand Cru comes from the Aloxe-Corton side, from a climat, and is made with purchased grapes from vines around 55–60 years old. The rather muted nose has trouble following on from the clearly more expressive Puligny Les Combettes. The palate is balanced with a fine bead of acidity, but the truth is that I find this missing the complexity and mineralité of a Grand Cru, surpassed by some of Girardin’s excellent Premier Crus this vintage.

Vinous (92-94)

The 2020 Corton-Charlemagne "Quintessence" Grand Cru comes from a single parcel in Aloxe-Corton. This has more complexity and energy on the nose compared to the regular cuvée with fresh pineapple, grapefruit, crushed stone and a touch of mirabelle. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, harmonious and quite refined, not powerful on the finish but linear and poised. Eight barrels produced.

Jasper Morris Inside Burgundy (93-95)

From the lower part of Le Charlemagne. There is a regular cuvee too. Lively fresh primrose. At the moment the oak shows a little stronger than the wine on the first nose. The fruit is pretty substantial on the palate, starting at the front, then gracefully continues through to a stony and salty finish. Drink from 2030-2038. Tasted: November 2023.

Embodying the true essence of Burgundy Chardonnay, Xavier Monnot Corton-Charlemagne 2020 epitomises rich complexity with a delicately balanced minerality. Xavier Monnot, a reputed winemaker from Meursault, leverages traditional vinification techniques to craft this exquisite wine in limestone soils of the Corton-Charlemagne plot. The skilful manipulation of oak and stainless steel fermentation preserves the innately sumptuous fruit profile.

The wine unveils itself with an enticing gold hue, leading into a bouquet of crisp apple, ripe pear, and subtly integrated oak. On the palate, it is full-bodied and silky, accentuating layered notes of citrus and stone-fruit, underpinned by deft acidity. Xavier Monnot Corton-Charlemagne 2020 ensures longevity and immense pleasure in every sip with its impressive finish.

As verified by world-renowned critics, Xavier Monnot Corton-Charlemagne 2020 deserves a prime position in your cellar. Indulge in this luxurious expression of one of Burgundy's most prestigious appellations.