1978 Bonneau Du Martray Corton

Domaine Bonneau du Martray is in Pernand-Vergelesses, and It is the only estate in Burgundy that makes nothing but Grand Crus. It is now primarily owned by American businessman and sports industry magnate Stanley Kroenke, who also owns Screaming Eagle in Napa Valley. Though the estate has been making wine for centuries, it is only since the 1970s that it bottled its own wines. About 90 percent of the estate’s 27 acres is in Corton-Charlemagne, and Corton-Charlemagne is the domaine's most famous wine. Robert M. Parker Jr. has called Bonneau’s Corton-Charlemagne “exquisite” and “age-worthy.” About 4,000 cases of Corton-Charlemagne are produced annually. Also produced are Aloxe-Corton, Le Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. The estate is one of the most prestigious in the region and was a pioneer in biodynamic viticulture in Burgundy.

Corton is a Grand Cru vineyard for red wine within the Corton appellation. It is a long, slender, stony limestone site that wraps part way around the top slopes of Montagne de Corton, a hill that reaches to 1,150 feet. The 234-acre vineyard primarily faces south, west and east, and is sheltered by a windbreak of trees while also receiving excellent exposure to sun. Corton is the Cote de Beaune’s only red Grand Cru. The largest producers are Louis Latour, with 37.5 acres; Hospices de Beaune, with 16 acres; and D'Ardhuy, with 11.85 acres. The names of smaller vineyards within Corton are frequently added to the names of Corton wines, resulting in names such as Corton Les Renardes, Corton Les Chaumes, Corton les Perrieres, etc.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.