Cornu

Mar/Apr 2002

2002 Aloxe-Corton-Vieilles Vignes red (87-90)
2002 Aloxe-Corton "Les Moutottes" 1er red (88-91)
2002 Aloxe-Corton "Les ValoziËres" 1er red (88-90)
2002 Bourgogne red 83
2002 Chorey-lËs-Beaune "Les Bons Ores" red (84-87)
2002 Corton-Bressandes Grand Cru red (90-92)
2002 CÙtes de Nuits-Villages red (85-88)
2002 Ladoix-Serrigny - Vieilles Vignes red (87-89)
2002 Ladoix-Serrigny "Le Bois Roussot" 1er red (86-89)
2002 Ladoix-Serrigny "La CorvÈe" 1er red (88-91)
2002 Savigny-lËs-Beaune red (85-87)

Pierre Cornu calls 2002 a "classic Burgundian vintage. We had slightly higher yields than 2001, which is to say between 40 and 42 hl/ha. Sugars came in between 12.5 and 13.5 with the average right at 12.8%. The malos were very long but I left the wines on their lees up until September but I worried about too much reduction so I racked them at that point. I love this vintage because it's very clean, it required almost no chaptalization and the refined, relatively tender nature of the tannins will make it accessible young but the balance is so good that the wines should be capable of aging for years". Cornu's present plan is to bottle between February and March with no fining and filtration only if necessary. As a point of reference, he noted that 1983 was the last year that any of the domaine's wines were fined. This is another terrific set of wines from a domaine that is clearly an under rated source of outstanding wines. (Rosenthal Wines, Shekomeko, NY; Peter McKinley - agent, UK).

2002 Bourgogne:

An exuberantly fruity and very pretty nose leads to round, supple and relatively simple bright red fruit flavors and just enough structure to suggest that one year of bottle age will be just right. 83/2005-8

2002 Chorey-lËs-Beaune "Les Bons Ores":

Extremely pretty pinot fruit aromas are followed by round, supple, sweet and rich flavors that are both delicious and charming. This is a very easy going and forward wine with a mouth coating finish. This would be a great choice for a simple house red at the price it usually sells for. (84-87)/2005-8

2002 Savigny-lËs-Beaune:

(entirely from Les Petits Liards). The nose here is less elegant and decidedly earthier with denser, more serious and more complex flavors with a bit more structure as well all wrapped in a very rich finish. Despite the extra structure, this is also very forward and should drink well early. (85-87)/2005-9

2002 CÙte de Nuits-Villages:

(from Corgoloin vines). This is quite elegant for its class with precise, fresh and nicely pure aromas and flavors plus a beautifully complex but slightly austere finish. There are conspicuous sauvage and underbrush elements to this wine and a bit more structure as well. (85-88)/2006-10

2002 Ladoix-Serrigny - Vieilles Vignes:

(from vines between 50 and 75 years of age). The most aromatically complex of the wines to this point with elegant, pure and detailed red cherry and exuberant pinot fruit notes framed by a touch of wood spice preceding round, rich, very intense and bright middle weight flavors underpinned by moderate but firm structure and fine persistence. I very much like this as it's balanced and quite fresh with surprisingly sophisticated tannins. (87-89)/2007-12

2002 Ladoix-Serrigny "Le Bois Roussot":

(from 10 year old vines). A very different expression as this is frank, direct, fresh and rather rustic with really first rate precision and fine finishing complexity. The purity is really lovely and I like the punchy, vibrant finish. (86-89)/2007-12

2002 Ladoix-Serrigny "La CorvÈe":

(from 50 year old vines). Some reduction renders the nose difficult to judge but the well structured, intense, rich and concentrated flavors offer plenty of authority and impressive length. In particular, this is very well balanced for such a powerful wine. (88-91)/2008-14

2002 Aloxe-Corton - Vieilles Vignes:

(from 40 to 60 year old vines, primarily from Les Cras). Very fresh red pinot fruit aromas cut with ample and distinct earth notes that complement beautifully the precise, well but finely structured middle weight flavors that display outstanding length at this level. This is a really pretty villages and recommended. (87-90)/2008-12

2002 Aloxe-Corton "Les Moutottes":

Heavy reduction hides the nose but the flavors are sweet, powerful, intense and robust but not rustic and offer excellent balance and plenty of length. Despite the reduction, the flavors are fresh, racy and vibrant and overall, this is more elegant than what one usually finds from Aloxe, even at the 1er level. (88-91)/2008-14

2002 Aloxe-Corton "Les ValoziËres":

Even bigger and more powerful than the Moutottes but not as elegant or precise with pretty and expressive game and fresh fruit aromas that lead to concentrated, punchy and structured flavors and prominent finishing tannins. This is a classic Aloxe with noticeable rusticity on the back end. Still, the underlying material is so good that this should make a lovely wine with sufficient time in bottle. (88-90)/2008-16

2002 Corton-Bressandes:

A clear and unmistakable step up in every category as this is dazzlingly complex aromatically with exuberant crushed red fruit aromas, especially raspberry and pinot extract and of course plenty of damp earth notes followed by intense, gorgeously detailed and focused, mineral suffused flavors that are vibrant, edgy and incredibly intense. This is beautifully balanced and the only nit is that it is not especially dense. Still, the balance is near perfect and this should age for years. In short, this is really beautiful juice with extremely sophisticated tannins. (90-92)/2010-17