Vincent Girardin : Corton-Charlemagne Grand cru "Quintessence" 2024

Characteristics and Tasting Tips for the Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru "Quintessence" 2024 by Vincent Girardin

Tasting notes

Colour
This white wine reveals a lovely pale gold hue, enhanced by delicate green highlights in its youth.

Nose
Highly complex, the aromatic bouquet opens with scents of white fruits such as pear and apple, intertwined with citrus notes. The ageing shows through touches of fresh butter, honey and dried fruit, all underpinned by a characteristic minerality reminiscent of gunflint.

Palate
The attack is generous and expansive, delivering a rich texture that is perfectly balanced by a focused acidity and a beautiful saline tension. The finish is remarkably persistent.

Food and Wine Pairings

This grand cru pairs wonderfully with Bresse poultry in cream sauce, pan-seared foie gras, or noble fish such as turbot in sauce or lobster with beurre blanc. It will also enhance long-aged pressed cooked cheeses, such as an aged Comté.

Serving and Cellaring

To fully appreciate the complexity of the 2024 vintage, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 10 and 12°C. Built for ageing, it can be cellared for many years.

The Elegance and Tension of a Burgundy Grand Cru

The Estate

The story of Vincent Girardin began in 1980, when its eponymous founder started cultivating two hectares of family vines in Burgundy. Based in Meursault, the estate grew rapidly and launched its négoce activity in 1992. In 2012, the domaine took a new direction when it was acquired by the Compagnie des Vins d'Autrefois, now chaired by Jean-Pierre Nié. Under the technical direction of Éric Germain, the estate now farms around thirty hectares according to biodynamic principles, producing wines renowned for their precision and their faithful expression of terroir.

The Vineyard

The grapes for this Corton-Charlemagne come from three distinct parcels on the legendary hill of Corton, spread across the communes of Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Serrigny and Pernand-Vergelesses. These vines benefit from varied exposures (south, east and west) and thrive on Jurassic-era marl-limestone soils. This unique terroir, rich in clay and limestone, promotes optimal drainage and gives the wine its deeply mineral signature.

Vinification and Ageing

After hand harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes are pressed and the must is lightly settled. Fermentation takes place in French oak barrels (15 to 20% of them new) using indigenous yeasts. The wine then benefits from an extended eighteen-month ageing on fine lees with regular bâtonnage. One month before bottling, which follows the lunar calendar, the blend is assembled in tank, followed by a light filtration.

Grape Variety

Chardonnay (100%).