The newest vintage of Bonneau du Martray points the direction the estate will now chart. This is an imperious wine, powerful, concentrated, and richly aromatic. Pronounced butter and baking spice aromas from the cask aging colour the ripe apple fruit at this early stage. The texture is lively, deftly balancing density balanced with abundant acidity. The wine is surprising in its freshness and moderate in alcohol at 13.5%, despite the heat of the year. However, it is evident that there is substance to spare and that this massive wine will, with time, digest all of this oak and that the subtler mineral notes will come to the fore.

This has one of the most classical Corton-Charlemagne bouquets of the tasting, with the stones showing straight away amongst the fresh apple notes. There is significant depth to the fruit and the coating of oak appears with a light touch. Then the wine develops impressively on the palate. 13.5% alcohol. This is very close behind the two five star wines.

95+ The 2019 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru has turned out brilliantly in bottle, exhibiting a harmony and precision that stands out in this vintage. Offering up aromas of sweet orchard fruits, citrus pith, nutmeg, spices, honey and oatmeal, it's medium to full-bodied, satiny and layered, with excellent concentration, chalky structuring extract and a long, vibrant finish. This is a very classy, beautifully balanced wine that is built to age with grace.