Paul Chavy Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2022

Paul Chavy Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru is a white Burgundy from Chardonnay grown on the Corton hill in the Côte-d'Or, one of the region's most celebrated white Grand Cru sites. The hill's upper slopes carry marl and limestone soils with a high active-lime content, well drained and facing south and west, which give Corton-Charlemagne its combination of power, tension and long ageing potential. A cool climate and the elevation preserve acidity while the fruit reaches full ripeness. This 2022 is aged for 11 months in oak barrels and a further 7 months in stainless steel. The barrel phase builds texture and toasted, nutty complexity through lees contact and slow oxygen exchange, while the steel period preserves freshness and locks in the fruit before bottling. The fruit is farmed sustainably and the wine is vegan. In the glass it is a bright gold, with white peach, ripe citrus and white flowers on the nose leading into hazelnut, vanilla, honey and toasted bread. The palate is broad and layered but held by a firm, chalky line of acidity, finishing long, saline and mineral. Serve at 11 to 13 degrees in a large white Burgundy glass, ideally decanted.