1993 Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils Corton

Domaine Maillard Pere et Fils is in Chorey-les-Beaune. It was founded in 1952 by Daniel Maillard, whose family has been making wine in Burgundy since the 18th century. Today the 46-acre estate is run by Daniel’s sons Alain and Pascal. The estate includes Grand Cru parcels in Corton and Corton Renardes, and Premier Cru parcels in Aloxe Corton and Beaune. There are villages parcels in Ladoix, Pommard, Meursault, Chorey-les-Beaune and Savigny-les-Beaune. Clive Coates has called the estate “a good source for sound, consistently made wines which evolve in the medium term…”

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.