Etienne Delarche’s ancient vines in Burgundy’s Le Corton offer up only enough grapes for one barrel. We scored just three cases. Grand Cru Red Burgundy with such pedigree and STRIKING red peach and raspberry fruit is currently an endangered species at this price. Buy all you can, while you can.

The Delarches are in that rare minority of families in Burgundy who never got the memo to triple their prices. Young Etienne Delarche expertly vinifies his tiny patch of Le Corton into just two barrels of wine—one of which is imported—and we nabbed the last three cases. It has all of the pedigree of this Grand Cru vineyard that captivated Emperor Charlemagne and stained his beard in 775 AD—for the same price as a commoner Premier Cru from further north. Pricing like this is vanishing forever, and so will this spicy, gutsy Pinot Noir.

Why You’ll Love It:

• 50+ year old vines give low yields, equaling palate-staining flavor concentration

• Brilliantly expressive red fruit like redcurrant, raspberry, and drippy red peach. LONG.

• STELLAR 2023 vintage, warm and full of sappy generosity

• Ability to age 10-20 years and develop the truffly, savory complexity that captivated Emperor Charlemagne.

How to Serve it:

• Age for at least 3-15 years; Grands Crus reward aging

• Decant for 20 minutes and serve at 58℉ in Red Burgundy stems 

• Pair with tea-smoked duck, roast squab with morels, Cîteaux cheese