Corton Charlemagne Joseph Drouhin 2016 (750ML)

91-93 Points, Neal Martin, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2016 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, which is owned by Drouhin and is located in "Longettes," had quite a virile, fiery bouquet that calmed down with aeration. Hints of tinned peach and dried apricot emerge with time. The palate is quite rich on the entry with lovely honeyed touches both in terms of taste and texture, a spicy vein emerging with time and showing commendable depth toward the finish. Very fine, even if it does not quite match up to their brilliant 2015." 12/1792-94 Points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous: "(40% new oak; winemaker Faure-Brac noted that Drouhin's parcel on the Aloxe side of Corton-Charlemagne avoided the frost, which was much more destructive in Pernand-Vergelesses): Pale, bright yellow. Expressive aromas of apple, nutmeg, talc and fresh herbs. Densely packed, pure and light on its feet, with subtle white peach and crushed stone flavors joined by more exotic apricot and lichee notes as the wine opens in the glass. Not a sweet style but saline, penetrating and long; this wine appears to be closing down in barrel. Terrific potential here." 9/17

92-94 Points, Stephen Tanzer, Vinous: "(40% new oak; winemaker Faure-Brac noted that Drouhin's parcel on the Aloxe side of Corton-Charlemagne avoided the frost, which was much more destructive in Pernand-Vergelesses): Pale, bright yellow. Expressive aromas of apple, nutmeg, talc and fresh herbs. Densely packed, pure and light on its feet, with subtle white peach and crushed stone flavors joined by more exotic apricot and lichee notes as the wine opens in the glass. Not a sweet style but saline, penetrating and long; this wine appears to be closing down in barrel. Terrific potential here." 9/17

93 Points, Burghound: "There is still quite a bit of post-bottling SO2 that is strong enough to overshadow the majority of the fruit though aggressive swirling eventually liberates notes of Granny Smith apples, white flowers and soft wood toast. I like the excellent intensity of the muscular yet sleek flavors that brim with minerality and plenty of sappy dry extract, all wrapped in an ever-so-mildly warm finale. This will need at least a few years to develop better overall depth but the underlying material is here such that it should occur over time." 6/18

95 Points, John Gilman, View From the Cellar: " Maison Drouhin continues to produce two different versions of Corton-Charlemagne, with this one hailing from the domaine's own vines in the center of the appellation. As I noted in the introduction, this sector of the vineyard was not hit badly by frost and the crop level here is close to correct in 2016. The wine is outstanding, wafting from the glass in a sophisticated blend of apple, pear, hints of the crème patissière to come with further bottle age, lovely, limestone minerality, white flowers and a very judicious framing of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and impeccably balanced, with a rock solid core, lovely transparency and grip and a very long, classically reserved finish. This will need a few years in the cellar to blossom, but it will be outstanding. (Drink between 2020-2050)" 11/17