2009 Corton Charlemagne
By Domaine Coche-Dury
2009 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury, Burgundy
Throughout my four decades in wine criticism, few wines have consistently stirred my soul like the Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury. The 2009 vintage from this standout domaine captures the quintessence of Burgundian mastery—a testament to the deft equilibrium between tradition and terroir.
A Vintage Defined by Precision and Poise
The 2009 growing season in Burgundy was one marked by both challenge and opportunity, resulting in grapes that unfolded magnificently under the care of skilled vintners. Domaine Coche-Dury, renowned for their meticulous attention to vineyard practises, excelled in this environment, with their 2009 Corton Charlemagne emerging as a paradigm of precision and poise.
In this particularly sanguine year, the vineyards relished in a favourable summer that bestowed enough warmth for ripening while avoiding the pitfalls of excessive heat. This delicate climatic balancing act is deftly expressed in the wine’s rhapsodic assembly of aromas: a heady bouquet conjures green apple tartness with dollops of crème fraîche, all underlaid by an enigmatic streak of mineral flintiness—echoes of Corton's limestone bedrock.
An Investable Darling Amidst a Crowded Field
For investors and collectors alike, pinpointing investable wines is an exacting endeavour. The 2009 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury distinguishes itself with an impressive structure capable of graceful aging. The palate parades a firm acid backbone speared through layers of yellow orchard fruit, hazelnut complexity and a pervasive minerality that testifies to its esteemed appellation.
Those who commit to this enchanting cuvée can anticipate a stellar evolution where early vibrancy gives way to sumptuous depth—a narrative arc worthy of investment consideration and cellar maturation.
The splendid 2009 vintage from Domaine Coche-Dury thrusts forth as a brilliant star in Burgundy's firmament, offering connoisseurs and investors not just a bottle of wine but a storied chapter from a fabled year. Its investment appeal is magnified by its rarity; as such, it stands as one of the most compelling narratives in the world of fine wine today, encapsulating both the magic and the meticulous craftsmanship synonymous with Domaine Coche-Dury.
Market price (HKD)
HK$607,960.00
12x75cl
Highest score
96
POP score
3975
Scores and tasting notes
The 2009 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is fabulous, soaring from the glass with a youthful bouquet of preserved citrus, vanilla pod, pastry cream, subtle white truffle and toasted sesame. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, ample and layered, with a textural attack, deep core, excellent concentration and succulent acids. The length on the finish is extraordinary. While this is the highest in alcohol of the vintages in this tasting (2009-1999), it's better integrated than in the 2006 or 2003 vintages, both of which seem warmer—which Jean-François Coche suggests is because wine made from clean grapes hides its alcohol better than wine made from botrytized grapes. Raphaël Coche adds that 2009 was a year defined by "sun and juice," as vines set a large crop and ripened it in balmy conditions without suffering from any stress.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 27 April 2018