Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2018

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A thousand-year-old vineyard, the Bonneau du Martray estate is a must-see in Burgundy. Planted on the Montagne de Corton in Pernand-Vergelesses, in the Côte d'Or region, this legendary 11-hectare vineyard lies on the border between the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune regions. Ideally oriented to the west, these old Chardonnay and Pinot Noir vines enjoy unparalleled light throughout the day. In the morning, the sun rises over the Saône to the east and in the evening, sets to the west, allowing the grapes to fully benefit from the sun, more than any other vineyard in the region.

These vines, donated over 12 centuries ago by Charlemagne to the Abbey of Saulieu in 775, will remain part of this heritage for centuries, and the climates will persist as they were 1,200 years ago. A legacy of the oldest, the legendary Bonneau du Martray vineyard suffered land loss due to erosion on the Corton hill. This natural erosion was exacerbated by the use of chemical weed control and phytosanitary products. This is why the estate today places great importance on preserving and restoring life and the terroir to the heart of its winemaking, ensuring a highly precise and high-quality production through biodynamic methods.

Now owned by Stanley Kroenke, owner of the Arsenal football team and Screaming Eagle wines, the Bonneau du Martray estate produces only two grands crus from a single vineyard perched on the Corton hill. Excellence is the watchword of the estate, which does not produce a second wine, meaning that grapes that are not up to scratch are simply discarded.