A wine with ties to Charlemagne

Corton is unusual in that it is the one Burgundy appellation with Grand Cru white and red wines. Corton-Charlemagne, the Grand Cru white, was originally given to the church by Charlemagne in the 8th century. At that time, it was planted to Pinot Blanc, Pinot Gris, and Aligote.

The 2018 Au Bon Climat Hildegard, named for Charlemagne's wife, is an homage to the original wines of Corton-Charlemagne. It doesn't, of course, taste like modern-day Corton-Charlemagne which is Chardonnay but it is an extraordinary wine nonetheless at only $39.99.

Antonio Galloni of Vinous media agrees with me, rating it 95 points: "The 2018 White Hildegard Estate is an unusual blend of Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc and Aligoté meant to recreate Burgundy's fabled Charlemagne vineyard in Medieval times. Bright and finely cut, Hildegard shows another side to Jim Clendenen's magic touch. Lemon peel, white flowers, white pepper and crushed rocks give the 2018 a striking aromatic top register to match its mid-weight personality. In a word: sublime."


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