2003 Corton Charlemagne
By Domaine Coche-Dury
2003 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury, Burgundy, France
The esteemed 2003 vintage in Burgundy was one for the history books. A growing season marked by scorching heatwaves bestowed a distinct signature across the region's vineyards. Amid this sweltering backdrop, the 2003 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury emerged as a beacon of exquisite craftsmanship amidst adversity.
The Vintage's Challenges Met with Mastery
Domaine Coche-Dury, venerable artisans of Chardonnay, deftly navigated the 2003 heatwave to produce a Corton Charlemagne with remarkable poise. The climatic rigour forced the vines to delve deep into the storied limestone soils for nourishment, resulting in a concentration of flavours seldom experienced in cooler years.
Investment and Array of Aromas
For fine wine investors, vintages like 2003 offer a singular opportunity: these wines possess both immediate allure and the potential for fascinating evolution. The 2003 Corton Charlemagne will underscore any portfolio with its rare equilibrium of opulence and vivacity. In the glass, an unabashed golden hue hints at the richness within. A symphony of ripe orchard fruits cascades through a structured mineral core, the intensity of honeyed almond intricately laced with toasted brioche tells tales of its maturation.
However unique, it is the finesse this wine retains that truly astonishes; its majestic acidity dances amidst the weighty fruit expressions, revealing that masterful winemaking can indeed triumph over Mother Nature's extremes.
The 2003 vintage by Domaine Coche-Dury is emblematic of years that proposes rigorous challenges to viticulturists; it is a testament to the tenacity and unwavering commitment to quality that this revered Burgundian house embodies. As such, adding this wine to an investment portfolio could be considered an equally steadfast move.
In Summation: An Exceptional Wine with Investment Merit
In summary, investing in the 2003 Corton Charlemagne from Domaine Coche-Dury means embracing a year where Burgundian winemaking had to demonstrate exceptional adaptability and skill. This wine stands as an exemplar output from an extraordinary vintage - robust yet refined, forcible yet elegant. A true collector's item, it holds pride of place among Burgundy connoisseurs and continues to bestow distinction upon portfolios seeking both distinction and depth.
Market price (GBP)
£37,930.00
12x75cl
Highest score
93
POP score
2917.69
Scores and tasting notes
The 2003 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is a baroque, gourmand white Burgundy, blossoming in the glass with aromas of peach, white chocolate, blanched almonds and toasted brioche. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, broad and textural, with comparatively low acidity but a certain succulence and energy that—remarkably—Coche’s 2003s didn’t show a few years ago. This Corton-Charlemagne’s atypical richness and textural extravagance makes it especially interesting to pair with richer dishes.
William Kelley - The Wine Advocate, 27 April 2018