Domaine Chevalier, Corton-Charlemagne Grand 2015 Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France

PRODUCER Domaine Chevalier was established in 1850 by Émile Dubois. Émile’s daughter Marcelle and his son-in-law Émile Chevalier inherited the estate after the First World War. Today, Claude Chevalier, the grandson of Émile, heads up the domaine, with his two daughters Julie and Chloé working alongside him. Chloé is now responsible for the winemaking although Claude is still very much present at the domaine. The domaine totals 15 hectares, lying on south-easterly facing chalky-clay soils, and is situated in Ladoix, right on the doorstep of Aloxe-Corton, in the north of the Côte de Beaune.

VINEYARDS Corton-Charlemagne is the Grand Cru that belongs in part to the growers of Ladoix and in part to those of Aloxe-Corton. It gives firm -structured, long-living wines in small quantities from the southerly- facing slopes of the hill of Corton. Along with the Grand Crus of Puligny and Chassagne-Montrachet, Corton-Charlemagne is considered the best of the Côte d'Or.

VINTAGE 2015 experienced a warm summer with little rainfall, which brought the harvest forward. The grapes were harvested at full ripeness and the resulting wines are full of stone fruit characters, with more richness and lower acidity levels than the wines of 2014.

VINIFICATION The grapes were hand-harvested then carefully sorted before being pressed and put into vats for racking. After cooling the must was transferred to barrel for fermentation (50% new oak is used for grand cru wines) where the wine remained for 11 months. It was fined in barrel, filtered and then rested for 2-3 weeks before bottling. Grape Varieties 100% Chardonnay Winemaker Chloé Chevalier TASTING NOTES Closure Natural Cork This standout wine presents a rich, 'straw-like' pale gold with yellow hues. Subtle aromas of pastry and honeysuckle on the nose are ABV 13% followed by a round, rich mouthful which is nicely balanced by a Bottle Sizes 75cl touch of acidity on the finish.