Poised with elegance, the wine has seductive layers of black cherry and oak spice. Pulverized black-pepper spice lands on the front of the palate and leads into a finish of fresh black cherries, mushroom and soil. The wine is sophisticated and refined. — Anna-Christina Cabrales

There's nothing shy about this uncompromising expression of the 2020 vintage. Dark, meaty and peppery on the expansive nose, this Corton has imposing structure, but has been beautifully crafted. So well proportioned, in spite of its mighty stature. The crushed-stone minerality builds and builds to a serious crescendo at the finish. From organically grown grapes. Drinkable now, but best from 2024.

(93-95 points) The 2020 Le Corton Grand Cru is a worthy successor to the striking 2019 (which I probably underrated last year). Soaring from the glass with aromas of rose petals, orange rind, raspberries, rich soil tones and cinnamon, it's full-bodied, velvety and seamless, with a deep and layered core of fruit, vibrant acids and fine, melting tannins, concluding with a long, saline finish. This emblematic cuvée has always been a solid bottling chez Bouchard, but in the last few years it seems to have attained a whole new level of quality. When I asked Frédéric Weber what might account for this shift, he explained that he picks later and includes more whole bunches in the vinification. Whatever the reason, readers are advised to take note, as I don't think the market has yet factored in quite how good this wine is.

Shows aromatic sandalwood, floral, cherry and exotic spices on the nose, with intense cherry and berry fruit on the palate. This has serious grip, despite the acidity and tannins meshing harmoniously with the flavors and supple texture. Offers fine length, with the fruit and spice notes persisting. Best from 2026 through 2043. 75 cases imported.

This magnificent parcel is 3.55ha in a long strip below the wood of Corton and above Clos du Roi and Renards, right on the limestone. The grapes are one-third fermented as whole clusters and then aged in 25% new casks to produce a very aromatic nose with expressive red and black fruits, floral notes, pepper and spice. On the palate the wine is tightly wound, with firm tannins but lots of finesse and a fine acidity that carries this to an impressive finish. (Drink between 2025-2050)

(92-94 points) The Bouchard 2020 Corton has coped well with the drought. Vinification included 40% whole bunches, slightly higher than the other Côte de Beaune vineyards. Deepish colour with a more crimson edge. The stems show with a slightly smoky nose. A brooding powerhouse but it is also light on its feet with an interesting complex mix of red and black fruit, plus the more open structure from whole bunch.

The 2020 Le Corton Grand Cru has an open-knit bouquet, possibly with some stem addition, slightly tertiary red fruit with a light loamy element that emerges with time in the glass. This has real complexity and terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with fine-boned tannins and dark berry fruit laced with tea leaf and black pepper, exhibiting more grip than some of its peers towards the finish without any of that vintage's heat. This is a serious Corton, though it should age well in bottle. Tasted blind at the Burgfest tasting- -- Neal Martin