At a glance

Producer

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti

Region

Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, Burgundy, France

Grape variety

Chardonnay

Wine type

White

Body

Full-bodied and Smooth

Sweetness

Bone Dry

Typical price

$4,000-$7,000 USD (per 750ml, depending on market and condition)

Tasting profile

Bright citrus and white orchard fruit, mineral backbone, hints of toast and subtle spice, superb tension.

Evolution: Will develop layers of honey, hazelnut, and complex minerality; texture will broaden, aromatics amplify with age.

At peak: Magnificent harmony of fruit, minerality and tertiary notes; signature DRC elegance in a white Grand Cru.

Structure

Acidity

High — classic for Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

Tannins

N/A (white wine — structure from phenolics and oak, not tannin)

Alcohol

Approx. 13.5% ABV

Aging potential

Outstanding — capable of 20+ years with proper storage

Drinking window

Peak drinking

2031 to 2057

Optimal window

2028 to 2060

Current status

Ready to drink

Current condition

Structured, with racy acidity and tightly knit fruit; just beginning to show Corton-Charlemagne character

Like most top Grand Cru whites, especially from Burgundy, this wine requires significant bottle age to express its full array of tertiary and mineral-driven complexity. Its strong backbone and high acid ensure a long, graceful evolution.

Food pairing

Lobster with beurre blanc, seared scallops, poultry in cream sauce, caviar, aged Comté cheese.

Serving

Decant

Not required

Sustainability

Sustainability score: 9/10

Manual vineyard work; horse-plowing; cover crops; biodiversity encouraging; native yeast fermentations; minimal intervention; rainwater management; recycled glass and minimal packaging; low-input vinification.

Domaine de la Romanée-Conti is recognized globally for their deep commitment to sustainable viticulture, pioneering both organic and biodynamic farming in Burgundy, eschewing herbicides and synthetic sprays for decades. Vineyard biodiversity is prioritized, as is energy efficiency in the winery. Their bottling and packaging are relatively minimal and focused on quality preservation. The only detractor is the wine's global prestige, which results in frequent air/sea exportation to distant collectors — if purchased and consumed locally, its environmental impact would be among the lowest in the world for a luxury wine. Overall, DRC Corton-Charlemagne 2020 is an exemplary model of sustainability for ultra-premium wine.