Corton Bressandes Grand Cru

Chandon de Briailles
France
Burgundy
2018

This cuvée comes from four parcels which total 1.12 hectare, situated mid-slope and spread in homogenous fashion over the whole appellation, giving a nice typicity of Bressandes. The soils are deep and made up in equal parts of limestone and clay, giving the wine lovely balance and great length on the palate. It is a terroir that is very representative of the appellation Corton. The vines average 40 years-old and face east. In 2018, the wine was made with 100% whole clusters. When tasted out of barrel a year ago, it was rather wound up, with ripe fruit and a super mineral backbone. Year after year, the Bressandes has nice density and body, with black cherry and blackberry notes, a touch of licorice and a supportive, generous structure, with a finish that hangs on the palate.

 

 

92-94 points
"The 2018 Corton Bressandes Grand Cru opens in the glass with aromas of red berries, plums and cherries mingled with aromas of orange rind, woodsmoke, grilled squab and peonies. On the palate, it's full-bodied, enveloping and rich, with an ample and concentrated core of ripe fruit framed by a broad-shouldered chassis of supple, powdery tannins. This is a broad, textural Bressandes."
William Kelley,
Wine Advocate
February 2020
90-93 points
"Moderate wood and a touch of menthol can be found on the notably ripe aromas of plum, violet, earth, game and a hint of smoke character. There is excellent richness, volume and mid-palate concentration to the powerful and firmly structured flavors where the finish is long though mildly sweet. Like the Vergelesses, I suspect that the sweetness will eventually dissipate with age."
Allen Meadows,
Burghound
April 2020
93-95 points
"The 2018 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru comes from four parcels of vines, totaling 1.5 hectares, on the mid-slope. Slightly deeper in color than the Les Maréchaudes, it has more depth and complexity on the nose, the blackberry, raspberry, wild hedgerow and damp-earthy, mossy aromas soaring from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with very supple tannins, and smoother and silkier than the Les Maréchaudes, leading to a sensual, pure, caressing finish. A gorgeous 2018 from Chardonnay des Briailles."
Neal Martin,
Vinous
January 2020
94 points
"Fleshy and gourmand, the 2018 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru evokes peonies, rose petals, red berries, cherries and loamy soil. Full-bodied, layered and velvety, it's sumptuous and enveloping, with an ample core of pure, succulent fruit framed by lively acids and powdery tannins."
William Kelley,
Wine Advocate
January 2021
93 points
"A beam of cherry permeates this intense red, its linear frame dense with chalky tannins. Compact now, it will need some time to open and reveal the fruit and its sweet, woodsy spice notes. Shows excellent balance and length. Best from 2024 through 2040. —B.S."
Bruce Sanderson,
Wine Spectator
Feb 24, 2021

SKU/Code: 
DB6625-18
Product Line: 
National Portfolio
Wine
Red
Varietal: 
Pinot Noir
Farming Type: 
Biodynamic