2009 Domaine Marius Delarche Le Corton Vieilles Vignes Reserve

Domaine Marius Delarche is a 24-acre estate in the village of Pernand-Vergelesses and Aloxe-Corton, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. The family estate is run by Etienne Delarche, who studied viticulture in Beaune before returning home to run the estate in 2005. The estate produces Pinot Noir and Chardonnay and offers Grand Crus, Premier Crus and villages wines. Delarche Grand Crus are Corton Les Bressandes, Corton-Charlemagne and Corton Clos du Roi. Premier Crus include the red wines Pernand-Vergelesses Les Fichot and Ile de Vergelesses, and the white wine monopole Pernand-Vergelesses Clos Berthet. Burgundy writer Clive Coates notes that the domaine’s “whites are now very good indeed.”

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.