Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

About this wine

Domaine Bonneau du Martray is one of Burgundy's most storied estates, holding the distinction of being the single largest owner of the legendary Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru vineyard, with 6.7 hectares of certified biodynamic Chardonnay vines on the Hill of Corton. The estate dates its lineage to Charlemagne's gift of these slopes to the monks of Saulieu in 775 AD, and has remained in the hands of only five owners across twelve centuries — the Le Bault de la Morinière family for two centuries until 2017, when it was acquired by E. Stanley Kroenke. Crafted from hand-harvested Chardonnay grown on limestone and clay soils at 280–330 meters elevation in the Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton communes, the wine undergoes natural fermentation in French oak barrels (25–30% new oak) and is aged on fine lees through two winters before bottling under a waning moon. The result is a wine of extraordinary purity, electric mineral tension, and remarkable longevity — a reference-point expression of white Burgundy's grandest terroir.

Sommelier's Note

"Few wines in the world can claim both the weight of history and the electric tension of great terroir the way Bonneau du Martray's Corton-Charlemagne does. Under biodynamic farming and meticulous winemaking — including extended lees contact, partial amphora fermentation, and lunar-cycle bottling — the wine has become even more precise and energetic since the Kroenke acquisition. The key to serving it is timing: open it at least one hour before serving, decant gently if it shows reduction, and if possible taste across multiple vintages to appreciate how it evolves from tight citrus and flint youth to the golden, honeyed, nutty complexity of maturity. Truly, one of the world's great white wines."

Food Pairings

Corton-Charlemagne from Bonneau du Martray is a wine of remarkable versatility at the table despite its grandeur. It excels with the finest shellfish — lobster thermidor, langoustine bisque, butter-poached scallops — as well as roasted Bresse chicken with cream sauce and fresh truffles. Aged Comté and Gruyère are classic pairings. In a Japanese dining context, its electric minerality and precise acidity make it a superb partner for marbled sashimi (fatty tuna otoro, yellowtail buri), white-fish kobujime (kelp-cured sole or flounder), premium salt-dipped tempura (shrimp, lotus root, shishito), and refined Japanese-French fusion cuisine using dashi-enriched butter sauces.

When to drink it

A wine for milestone moments: landmark anniversaries, milestone birthdays, once-in-a-career celebrations, or as the centrepiece of an intimate collector's dinner. Its rarity and reputation also make it an exceptional gift for anyone serious about wine. With a drinking window of roughly 10–25 years from vintage, gifting a young bottle is both generous and forward-thinking.

Specs

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Style

White

Price Range

Approximately USD 400–600 per bottle at retail (varies significantly by vintage and market). Exceptional vintages (e.g., 2017, 2019, 2020) command premiums. On the secondary market, older bottles can exceed USD 1,000.

Terroir & Winemaking

Grapes are hand-harvested from 6.7 hectares of certified biodynamic Chardonnay vines in Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton at elevations of 280–330m. After gentle whole-cluster pressing, the must settles naturally before fermentation in a combination of French oak barrels (25–30% new oak), sandstone amphora, and earthenware dolia. The wine undergoes extended lees aging through two winters without stirring, after which it is racked, blended in tank for two months to achieve homogeneity, then bottled during a waning moon phase in late spring. Alcohol approximately 13–13.5% ABV. Not filtered or fined. Biodynamic certified by Ecocert since 2014 (Chardonnay vineyards).

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Bonneau du Martray's Corton-Charlemagne differ from other Corton-Charlemagne producers?

Bonneau du Martray is the single largest owner of the Corton-Charlemagne vineyard, with 6.7 hectares of certified biodynamic vines. Their site spans the optimal south-to-west-facing slopes in Pernand-Vergelesses. Since 2017 the estate has refined its approach under new ownership, introducing sandstone amphora and earthenware dolia alongside oak barrels, producing wines with even greater precision and mineral energy.

When is the best time to drink it?

This wine is built for long aging. Most vintages need a minimum of 8–10 years from harvest before showing their best. A drinking window of 10–25 years from the vintage year is typical. For example, the 2019 vintage is recommended from 2024 to 2039. Great vintages like 1990 have been drinking beautifully for over 30 years.

What flavors and aromas should I expect?

Young examples show tightly wound citrus (lemon, yuzu), white peach, flint, and wet limestone with a precise, tensile acidity and a long saline finish. As it matures, the aromas evolve into white flowers, honeysuckle, almond, hazelnut, and a signature minerality that never fades. The palate broadens but retains laser-like precision.

Is it related to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti?

Bonneau du Martray leased 2.8 hectares of their Corton-Charlemagne vineyard to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) from 2019, which DRC now vinifies as their own Corton-Charlemagne. The two estates share a philosophical commitment to biodynamic farming, which was a key reason for choosing DRC as a tenant. Bonneau du Martray continues to produce from the remaining 6.7 hectares.

What temperature should I serve it at?

Serve at 12–14°C (54–57°F). Use a large Burgundy-style white wine glass to allow the complex aromas to develop. If the wine has been cellared for many years, consider opening and letting it breathe in the glass or gently decanting for 30–60 minutes to allow any reduction to dissipate.