Remoissenet bottles one of Burgundy’s most impressive ranges of Grand Cru Chardonnay: Blanchot, Bougros, and Les Clos in Chablis; Bâtard-Montrachet and Le Montrachet in Puligny; and today’s Corton-Charlemagne from the legendary hill of Corton.

The Corton-Charlemagne vineyard takes its name from the famed Emperor Charlemagne who gifted this and other vineyards to the religious community of Saint-Andoche de Saulieu in the year 775. As legend has it, this vineyard was once an all-Pinot Noir vineyard, from which the hard-partying Emperor Charlemagne enjoyed many a bottle—staining his white beard in the process. In an attempt to clean up his beard, if not his act, Charlemagne’s wife had the entire vineyard re-planted to Chardonnay and the rest is history. Old wives’ tale or not, these concentrated, full-bodied, long-lived whites are among the grandest experiences in all of wine.

In 2020, Remoissenet’s meticulously selected fruit came entirely from southwest-facing vines beyond 40 years of age. The manually harvested crop was pressed whole cluster and fermented naturally in brand-new 342-liter French casks. Extended aging also occurred in these same vessels. Even in its youth, Corton-Charlemagne from Remoissenet is always a singularly delicious and hedonistic treat but Burgundy collectors know the real magic begins about 5-7 years after the vintage.