Tasting Notes

Some of you may recall that I visited Cornu several years ago, ultimately buying what I believed to be the ‘best barrel in the winery from the Domaine’s 2016 vintage’. That wine, the 2016 Cornu Les Rognets Corton Grand Cru, continues to evolve into a delicious, ethereal wine. Scott Farraway

Critic Scores:
  • 94 – Falstaff
  • 91-93 – Neal Martin, Vinous
This 2016 Grand Cru is a masterclass in the tension between power and grace, born from a vintage where a frost-threatened spring yielded to a near-perfect ripening season.
The wine displays a classic Corton depth, with a restrained bouquet that gradually reveals scents of dried violets, liquorice, and a hint of forest floor undergrowth.
 
On the palate, it is defined by a firm, aristocratic structure and a cooling line of acidity that carries flavors of red currant and blueberry.
 
The finish is remarkably persistent, marked by a sophisticated salty mineral impression that reflects its rocky limestone provenance. This cuvée, specifically selected for its superior barrel expression, has evolved into a wine of immense complexity and "beautiful structure." Falstaff confirms its high standing with a score of 94, noting that it is an "elegant wine" with a bouquet that develops beautifully with time in the glass.