Bonneau Du Martray Corton Charlemagne 2016 (1.5L)

95 VM / 95 JM / 94 WA

(production was half of normal in 2016; aged in 30% new oak and bottled at the beginning of April of this year): Pale yellow-green. High-pitched aromas of citrus peel, menthol, lavender and white pepper. Extremely tight without coming across as austere, conveying striking purity to its bracing flavors of grapefruit pith, lemon and crushed stone. Adamant minerality gives this very dense wine terrific inner-mouth tension and yet there's an element of leavening sweetness here as well, not to mention compelling floral perfume throughout. This wonderfully smooth, rich yet weightless wine really dances on the palate, spreading out on the unflagging back end to saturate every square millimeter of the mouth. Cellarmaster Emmanuel Hautus compared this wine to the 2009 in its combination of richness, early appeal and potential longevity. Stephen Tanzer - Vinous Media

Fine pale primrose with a light green tint. A faint yet noble reduction intertwined with intense fruit and the expected stoniness. A softness is also apparent. The oak works well in the blend though, with lemon and stony notes at the back. Some greengage and some riper plums. Middleweight plus, good grip, and certainly the necessary persistence and flavour profile.

This was an impressive set of wines from Domaine Bonneau du Martray, where I tasted with new cellar master Emmanuel Hautus. The wines show increasing coherence and precision, and some subtle refinements in cellar technique, lead me to believe that they will age more dependably than has sadly been the case at this address in the last two decades. Impressive investment in the vineyards—above all, extensive replanting of the Domaine's Pinot Noir holdings—also bode well for the future. In the near future, once the new team has a few more vintages under their belt, I'll be reporting more thoroughly on developments here. - William Kelley, Wine Advocate