“It is simply, and in my mind, incontrovertibly, one of the pinnacles of Jean-Francois Coche’s auspicious career…utterly profound”
The WINE
Domaine COCHE-DURY, CORTON-CHARLEMAGNE GRAND CRU 2010 (Cote de beaune)
GBP 85,000 per 12x75cl original case (under bond) - In Stock
Please note be are able to help arrange international shipping for this product (subject to location)
We can be contacted with any questions here
The Cepage
Chardonnay (100%)
ELEVAGE
Up to 22 months in oak barriques, with new oak never exceeding 25%
The Producer
Covered in greater depth in Hugo Rose MW’s producer focus, Domaine Coche-Dury is arguably the greatest white Burgundy producer of all, revered globally, primarily for their superlative Meursault Premier Cru, Les Perrieres, and statuesque Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru: the pinnacle of White Burgundy and Chardonnay.
The Vineyard
Name: Corton-Charlemagne
Classification: Grand Cru
Size: 52.08 hectares
Location: Côte de Beaune
Aspect: As a diverse, and the largest white Grand Cru of Burgundy, lying on the Corton hill, vine aspect varies from eastly to north-westerly across Corton-Charlemagne. The warmest plots to the south and west produce the earlier ripening fruit with tempered acidity. To the east lie Corton-Charlemagne’s two finest lieux-dits (of 9 named plots); the sub-vineyards of Le Charlemagne and En Charlemagne. With this easterly exposure and their location higher up the Corton hill where limestone soils predominate, these sites enjoy marginally cooler temperatures and lower solar exposure. Thus producing steadier/later ripening fruit and, subsequently, linear wines with the greatest acidity retention and ageing potential of the appellation.
Soils: Principally limestone, increasing further up the hill of Corton, and associated (scientifically, arguably; poetically, certainly) with the clean, stony minerality associated with the grand wines of the appellation.
Vinous fact: Pinot Noir and Chardonnay are both permitted within the perimeters of Corton-Charlemagne, and to be labelled Grand Cru, although (in the rare instances it is bottled), Pinot must be labelled Corton Grand Cru. Likewise, within Corton Grand Cru (the largest red Grand Cru of Burgundy), Chardonnay may be grown and bottled, though labelled as Corton Grand Cru Blanc.
Domaine Coche-Dury’s Plot
In 2010:
Plot size: 0.33 hectares
Yield: ~40 hectolitres/hectare
Aspect: East-facing, within Le Charlemagne, with the cooler microclimate aiding the nervosité Jean-François Coche and, subsequently, Raphaël seek.
Bottles produced in an average vintage: ~1500 bottles / 125 cases per year
Bottles produced in 2010 (estimated): only ~900 bottles / 75 cases (*see THE VINTAGE below)
Today, following Coche-Dury’s acquisition of two further plots in 2012
Plot size: 0.88 hectares
Vine age: 50-90 years
Bottles produced: ~3500/290 cases
The Vintage
2010 is universally deemed a truly special vintage for both whites and reds across Burgundy, characterised by ripe (but not solar) fruit character, the pitch-perfect acidity of a cooler vintage and, in the best wines (of which there are many), the structure to age effortlessly.
Cool temperatures and low yields were the themes in 2010. Poor flowering in a cool, damp June (following a long, harsh winter) lowered potential yields at the start of the growing season. Relatively cool, overcast weather followed in July and August, with some growers battling disease pressures. However, with less fruit on the vines to ripen and warm, sunny conditions in September and October, the marginally-delayed ripening commenced and concluded, while fruit retained the acidity of the cooler growing season. Hail was a further hindrance to the yields of many growers in September, particularly in the Côte de Beaune, contributing to *an estimated 40% average loss across the appellation.
The best, resultant whites have the concentration attributed to lower yields, the phenolic character (aroma/flavour) of a “classic” vintage, clean, linear acidity, and demanded (and many still demand) time in the cellar to unfurl. And are, quite simply, brilliant.
The Provenance
This ultra-rare, original case of Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne 2010 was under the ownership of a European, private collector, acquired directly from Domaine on release, until our purchase via close contacts in the fine wine trade in 2025.
What The Critics Say
William Kelley, robertparker.com (February 2025)
100/100pts "A monument in the making, Coche's 2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru remains an infant, but it at least exhibits signs of awakening, unwinding in the glass with notes of citrus oil and crisp green orchard fruit mingled with hints of toasted sesame, iodine and freshly baked bread. Full-bodied, dense and crystalline, with a layered core girdled by racy acids and chalky extract, it remains tightly wound, concluding with a long, penetrating finish. Drink 2025-2050”
Neal Martin, Vinous (2018 & 2022)
99+/100pts “The 2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru from Domaine Jean-François Coche-Dury is the third bottle that I have encountered. I’m spoiled. It flirts perfectly with a heavenly bouquet that just shimmers with energy, the palate ideally balanced with incredible, effable depth and concentration, yet that acidity slices through it with effortless ease. I suspect a score with three figures instead of two is just a matter of time.Drink 2025-2070”
Antonio Galloni, Vinous (2022)
99/100pts“Coche-Dury’s 2010 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru really needs and few hours to open. Several recent bottles (don’t kill me for that) suggest the 2010 is starting to head into the early part of its first plateau of maturity, the stage where some of its youthful angularity starts to soften, the textures open and the aromatics become more expansive. If I had multiple bottles (I don’t) I would wait on the 2010 and let it settle a bit more. It is very clearly a magnificent, special wine. Drink 2025-2040”
Allen Meadows, Burghound (2018)
99/100pts “Tasted at a dinner in Beaune. I happened to have the chance to taste this alongside the '07 and '05 versions (as well as the '07 Perrières), and as wonderful as those are, the 2010 is simply at another level. A cool and restrained, indeed almost grudging nose is composed by strikingly fresh notes of mineral reduction, citrus peel, Granny Smith and a wisp of wood. The delineation of the sleek and tautly muscular flavors is brilliant as is the outstanding depth that suffuses both the mid-palate and finish that is shaped by a tightly coiled acid spine. In my view this beautifully harmonious and Zen-like effort is the best Coche Corton-Charlie since the stunningly good 1996. Drink: Try from 2025+”