Corton Pougets Grand Cru
The Corton mountain reunites the villages of Ladoix Aloxe-Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. Corton is the only red grand cru on the côte de Beaune. Located at an altitude of between 250 and 300 meters, the vineyard forms an unrivalled amphitheatre. It's exposure towards the south is an exception. The terroir of Corton Pougets offers a perfect representation of the Jurassic Oxford.
Corton is a composite meaning "Othon's Court". In medieval Latin cortis designated the courtyard and was used in the same way as the gallo-Roman villa, indicating a property belonging to a member of the Frankisk nobility.
Pougets is the regional version of Poisets, derived from Puits, wells. Halfway up the gentle slope the soil is reddish and stony, calcareous brown, rich in marl. It is a perfect environment to bring out the full potential of the Pinot Noir.
Red wines vinification : We aim to obtain fruity wines, rich in blended tannins, which is the mark of well ripened grapes. We bring in the grapes in small crates for careful sorting in the winery; a conveyor belt is used for filling the tanks in order to respect the grapes. The fermentation lasts 15 days with pigeages, punching down of the cap, allowing the wine to soak up the richness and the colour from the grape-skins before pressing. Ageing takes place in barrels of which 20 % are new. Racking by the means of a bellow eliminates the need for a pump. All these precautions limit handling of the grapes and the wine as much as possible thus preserving all the richness.
The Corton Pougets displays a deep purple colour, dark red velvet towards dense magenta. Ample, it's bouquet is expressed in fruity tones of blueberry, red currant, kirsch; or flowery, of violets. It then evolves towards notes of under-growth, gentle spices, of liquorice. On the palate it is powerful and full-bodied, structured, willingly demonstrative, the body is firm, frank, rich. It needs time to reach it's full potential (4 to 12 years).
Solid and opulent, the Corton Pougets is emblematic of Burgundy with a great complexity, impressive in the mouth being sensual and structured all at once. This is why it takes full-flavoured cheeses to tame it. But it is no doubt with meats of character that this wine goes best such as grilled or roast beef, all sorts of game, either roasted, braised or in sauces.
