2008 Corton-Charlemagne
By Bonneau du Martray
2008 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray, Burgundy, France
The venerable 2008 Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray is a wine that exerts the quintessence of Burgundian mastery, specifically from the celebrated slopes of Corton-Charlemagne. The 2008 vintage, with its particular provenance, presents a narrative wrapped in climatic drama and meticulous viticulture.
Pedigree and Poise: A Distinctly Investible Vintage
A pivotal season marked by early setbacks with frost and uneven flowering transitions magnificently into a late summer rescue. Indeed, 2008 in Burgundy was redemptive—low yields blessed with September's golden grace produced grapes of concentrated flavour. Bonneau du Martray's steadfast stewardship of the terroir navigates these climatic whims expertly, yielding an edition of their Corton-Charlemagne that astounds the connoisseur and intrigues the investor.
Terroir Triumphs in the Glass
In the glass, the 2008 vintage resonates with a bright golden hue, ushering in a complex bouquet that combines flintiness with white peach and subtle toasted brioche—an affair that hints at both richness and restraint. The palate demonstrates a finesse seldom matched; steely minerality and vivacious acidity unite with mature flavours of almond and honey, reflective of its evolution. This tautness ensures that the wine retains its aristocratic stature while promising further expansion of its character over time.
Bonneau du Martray's heritage finds exquisite expression in this vintage: The repository of profound complexity and elegance that is the 2008 Corton-Charlemagne makes it not merely a sensorial delight but also presents an opportunity for nuanced wine investment.
An Enological Epitome Destined for Appreciation
The intersection of adversity and adept viniculture crafts an exemplary testament to Burgundy's resilience in this 2008 offering. As the years progress, so too does the lore surrounding this remarkable vintage. If you seek opulence interlaced with impeccable structure, look no further than this fine specimen. The profile indeed prognosticates appreciable returns on investment—an aspect as enticing as the wine itself for enthusiasts and astute collectors alike.
Market price (CAD)
$6,710.00
12x75cl
Highest score
94
POP score
287.86
Scores and tasting notes
The 2008 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is performing nicely from bottle, even if it's not quite as it was five or six years ago, offering up aromas of orange oil, fresh pear, honeycomb, dried apricot and nutty, toasty oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and incisive, with racy acids, chalky grip and a lactic quality that I suspect derives from the vintage's high levels of malic acid. This is a contender for Bonneau du Martray's finest Corton-Charlemagne of the 2000s.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 16 July 2020