96 Points Decanter
The 2022 Bouchard Corton boasts concentrated mulberry and black plum fruit aromas, hints of violets and liquorice, and sweet oak spice. The texture is velvety and dense, with supple tannins and a pleasantly persistent finish underscored by a saline mineral note. Despite the location of the vines near the top of the slope, the grapes were picked early; 40% of the crop was fermented as whole clusters. This wine should open up in five to seven years and drink for another 25 beyond that. (CC)
96 Points James Suckling
This has the tannic power we expect from this appellation, but in a plush and restrained form. That core is wrapped in a velvet blanket, but the dominant aromas are dark and earthy, with touches of licorice or pine bark. Very long, compact and earthy finish that promises a very long life. From a 3.55 hectare parcel on shallow red-clay soil that's almost next to the forest at the top of hill and faces east. Drink or hold.
93-95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2022 Le Corton Grand Cru is another highlight of the range, mingling aromas of sweet cherries, berries and plums in a complex bouquet, followed by a medium to full-bodied, deep and layered palate that's dense and structured but beautifully refined, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. The 2022 vintage is another tour de force for Bouchard, as the accompanying tasting notes reflect. Technical director Frédéric Weber reported little in the way of hydric stress, with rapid ripening at the end of the season that saw some parcels accumulate 1.5% potential alcohol in as little as three days. Fortunately, the team hadn't performed any deleafing and were able to apply protective kaolin clay as sunblock for the leaves and fruit to ride out the heat wave. Harvest began on August 26, with anything picked after 11 a.m. left overnight in a cold room for processing the following day, and the harvesters stopping work at 2 p.m. (WK)
92-95 Points Jasper Morris
Mid to deep crimson. Cooked strawberries on the nose. Not really cooked, crushed and peppery really. 50% whole bunches can be seen as well as the limestone aspect of the top of the hill. Almost floral, aiming at a more elegant style rather than a massive one, given the situation. But a very long finish. I was also shown an amphora version of the Corton which had a mid-crimson colour, with a dark raspberry and crushed strawberry nose. Like the Clos de la Mousse, the amphora version comes across as a bit gravelly, the tannins a little more pronounced. Scored for the main version. Drink from 2030-2038.
94 Points Tim Atkin
This large, 3.20-hectares parcel sits in one block at the top of the hill. There's no better view of the Saône river plain. Cranberries, rose petals, new leather and crushed chalk sing on the nose. The core is juicy but also finely structured by soft, gliding tannins and bustling acidity. This will be pretty early on but has everything it needs to age for the next decade or more.
92-94 Vinous
The 2022 Le Corton Grand Cru comes from vines at higher altitude. It has a well-defined and precise bouquet, the altitude imparting more freshness than some of the other red cuvées this year. The medium-bodied palate has supple tannins and a mixture of red and black fruit, white pepper and clove, leading to a refined and persistent finish. Excellent. (NM)
91-94 Burghound
Note: from a massive 7 ha holding that is divided roughly 50/50 between pinot and chardonnay; the 7 ha represents 60% of the total surface area. The natural coolness of the vineyard is in evidence because while the nose is ripe, it's cool and also brooding with its overtly floral aromas of black raspberry, the sauvage and newly turned earth. There is excellent underlying tension to the rich, powerful and muscular flavors that also exude a bead of minerality on the youthfully austere, tightly wound and persistent bitter pit fruit-inflected finale. A Corton of (relative) elegance.
