2018 Michel Mallard Corton Grand Cru "Les Renardes", Burgundy, France
ABOUT THIS WINE
99% of the wine produced is red; the Corton appellation is the only red Côte de Beaune Grand Cru. The limestone-clay soil on the Corton hillside is rich in marl, and provides an exceptional terroir for producing great wines. Dense, closed and highly tannic when young, they have worried many a connoisseur. However, after waiting patiently for five or seven years, cellaring will bring out their marvellous aromas of red fruit, spices, liquorice and game, as well as an incredible richness. Nicely structured, they unveil a nice acidity and good persistency. Next to Pommard, Corton has, out of all the Côte de Beane wines, undoubtedly the best cellaring potential, which is between 20 to 40 years depending on the vintage.
Only perfect over ripe bunches
75% new oak
18 months in 228 barrels, 10 year cellar potential
ABOUT THIS PRODUCER
Michel Mallard and sons' vineyard is located in the commune of Ladoix-Serrigny, a small village at the junction between the Côte de Beaune and Côte de Nuits. Vine growers from father to son for five generations, the vineyard has expanded over time and now cultivates 11 hectares of vineyards. Maryse and Patrick Mallard, at the head of this wine company, take care of this heritage in producing wines in Burgundy, Côte de Nuits-Villages, Chorey-les-Beaune, Savigny-les-Beaune, Ladoix, Aloxe-Corton, Corton and Corton-Charlemagne appellations.
Les Maréchaudes' extends over the direct eastern side of the Corton Hill in the commune of AloxeCorton. The meaning of this climat’s name would indicate a marshy area located at the intersection between the villages of Aloxe-Corton and Ladoix-Serrigny (MARESCHE meaning swamp in old French). Since this time, these lands have been enhanced for the planting and cultivation of vines.
Les Maréchaudes reveals itself on the nose by an expressive bouquet of blackberry fruits, liquorice, cloves and a certain minerality. In the mouth, one first notices its elegance with a smooth tannic sensation. With a good degree of density, persistency, dignity, it is a truly harmonious wine !
Being a winemaker is about creating pleasure for other people. That's how Michel Mallard at Domaine Michel Mallard in Ladoix-Serrigny views his occupation. Having said that, he stresses that he makes the wines he likes himself. He does not go for a particular style just because people happen to like it. You can't please everyone, so the best thing you can do is to be true to yourself.
– I'm the third generation here, explains Michel Mallard. My grandfather started to bottle and my father started to export. I succeeded my father in 2005 and I am also working for Domaine Engel in Vosne-Romanée.
Today Domaine Michel Mallard covers 13 hectares and 16 appellations, mainly around the Corton hill. It was founded by Michel Mallard's grandfather, also named Michel Mallard, in 1952. The domaine is located along the D974 that runs straight through Ladoix-Serrigny. In recent years the cellars has been renovated and enlarged. The whole process is now done by the use of gravity; there is no pumping of the wine.