Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 2008 750ml

The 2008 Corton-Charlemagne comes across as super-classic in its chiseled fruit. Today the 2008 is holding back much of its potential, but there is plenty of energy and vitality in its focused, wiry frame. Lemon peel, lime and flowers are some of the notes that linger on the finish. Ideally the 2008 needs another year or two in bottle (and perhaps more) to show the full breadth of its personality. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2018.

• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Cote De Beaune
• Sub Appellation: Corton Charlemagne
• Size: 750ml
• Color: White

Varietal

Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one that has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is Chardonnay. This green-skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity, which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.