Benjamin Leroux Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne 2023

Again, this year’s rendition comes entirely from Les Languettes, a cool site in Aloxe-Corton, wedged between Les Pougets and Le Corton. Positioned directly below the woods, Leroux favours this site for its intense, cool expression of white-soil minerality. The only downside is the loss of fruit from wild boars and rabbits that emerge from the forest! The grapes are pressed gently without crushing, lightly settled, and fermented without sulphur in a mix of small and large casks. Leroux uses one-third new oak and the result is a superb, powerful Charlemagne.