2005 Corton Charlemagne
By Domaine Coche-Dury
2005 Corton-Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury, Burgundy, France
In the echelons of Burgundian whites, the 2005 Corton-Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury is an offering that resonates with oenophiles seeking investment-grade wines. An exceptional vintage, the year 2005 gave us a balancing act of warmth and coolness in climatic conditions—a scenario where stars align for winemaking magicians like Coche-Dury.
A Distinctive Vintage Character
Examining the liquid gold that swans about the chalice, one immediately discerns the 2005's exacting hallmark of intense aromatics—a bouquet coruscating with ripe apple, toasted almonds, and the haunting whisper of flint. Flecks of honeyed refinement divulge the subtle interplay between opulence and minerality, a testament to the alchemy of weather and terroir in this hallowed vintage.
Lush Texture with Layers Unfurling Elegantly
On the palate, this 2005 Corton-Charlemagne unfurls its complex tapestry: lush yet precisely gauged acidity guiding you through a refined maze of fruit and elegance. With each sipping passage, I am emboldened by its textural crescendo sustaining through to a finish that lingers on notes akin to a bard's envoi. This vintage reflects its roots regally, draped in the aristocracy that Corton-Charlemagne rightfully claims.
The 2005 growing season heralds a consecration of concentration in this expression from Domaine Coche-Dury, marrying sun-kissed amplitude with Burgundy's iconic restrained grace. Its richness does not cloud judgment; instead, it offers an investment narrative as layered as the wine itself.
Epilogue: The Sage Ageability of 2005 Corton-Charlemagne
This venerable bottle from Domaine Coche-Dury has traversed years with dignity, now approaching a plateau whereupon its virtues are thoroughly unveiled. A sage wine, radiating both confidence and potential for further cellar repose—its plush curtaining hardly showing age's whisper.
For investors who seek to anchor their portfolio in vinous treasures one must heed to the siren call of the 2005 Corton-Charlemagne. It remains not as mere liquid in the glass but as a gilded chapter in the annals of collectible whites—frankly, an astute acquisition for those with foresight.
Market price (HKD)
HK$755,000.00
12x75cl
Highest score
95
POP score
5265.33
Scores and tasting notes
The 2005 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru was difficult to evaluate and appears to be entering a transitional state between youth and maturity. On the nose, appealing aromas of preserved citrus, chamomile and toasted sesame mingle with notes of brioche, nutmeg and struck match. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and concentrated, with chewy extract and considerable depth, but it is seemingly missing some of the energy and tension that I have previously found in this domaine's 2005s. While aging contemporary white Burgundy is admittedly the preserve of optimists, I'd be inclined to forget this for a few years and hope that its glories reemerge, because when this Corton-Charlemagne is showing all its cards, it's close to perfection.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 27 April 2018