Appellations
Grand Cru · Côte de Beaune
Corton
Aloxe-Corton · red and white · 90
The Côte de Beaune's only red grand cru, and by far the largest grand cru in Burgundy.
Under the vines
Iron-bearing red marl on the lower and eastern slopes, paler and stonier higher up.
In the glass
Firm, earthy and slow when it works; ordinary when it does not. Enormously variable.
Why it sits here
Permits its lieux-dits (Le Corton, Les Bressandes, Clos du Roi, Les Renardes) to be named on the label.
Commonly misread
That 'Corton' on a list means much by itself. The lieu-dit and the grower carry almost all the information.
Names worth knowing
Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Bonneau du Martray, Chandon de Briailles, Tollot-Beaut, Faiveley