LOUIS LATOUR CORTON CHARLEMAGNE GRAND CRU 2023

Founded in 1797 and family-owned for over ten generations, Maison Louis Latour operates as one of Burgundy's most respected négociant-éléveurs, controlling 50 hectares including the Côte d'Or's largest Grand Cru holdings at 28.63 hectares extending from Chambertin to Chevalier-Montrachet, vinifying all estate fruit at Château Corton Grancey's gravity-flow cuverie built in Aloxe-Corton as France's first purpose-built winery. This 2023 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru sources Chardonnay from steep mid-slope vineyards on Corton hill's southwest face, where thin limestone soils over Oxfordian bedrock and elevation between 250-300 meters create ideal conditions for mineral-driven white Burgundy that Emperor Charlemagne favored in the 8th century. Fermented and aged in French oak barrels using traditional Burgundian techniques, the wine delivers citrus, white flowers, hazelnut, buttered toast, and pronounced minerality with racy acidity and concentrated fruit reflecting the 2023 vintage's cool growing season and balanced ripening conditions across Burgundy's Grand Cru sites.

Burghound 93/100 pts: Cool, pretty and attractively layered aromas include those of Granny Smith apple, spice, wet stone and a plentitude of citrus elements. There is both more volume and richness to the bigger-bodied flavors that exhibit good power on the balanced, sappy and moderately firm finale. This also could use better depth but that should develop in time.