Domaine Louis Latour, Corton (Burgundy, France) Château Corton Grancey 2015

($132, Louis Latour USA):  Although Latour owns portions of Romanée St. Vivant and Chambertin, Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte de Nuits, I consider this Grand Cru from the Côte de Beaune to be their flagship red wine.  Latour has always felt that blending wines from different Grand Cru parcels on the Corton hill, a practice the Domaine de la Romanée Conti has embraced now that they have vineyards in Corton, produces the most compete expression of Corton. A blend of wines from their holdings in Corton-Perrières, Corton-Clos du Roi, Corton-Grèves and Corton-Bressandes vineyards, in varying proportions depending on the vintage, comprises their Château Corton Grancey.  The 2015 is one of — if not the — finest they have ever produced. Paradoxically, it is both explosive and firm.  A lush core of ripe fruit offsets and perfectly balances the dense minerality for which Corton is known.  The iron-like backbone and brilliant acidity amplifies the wine’s inherent ripeness and charms.  Long and luxurious, it’s a wine for the cellar. Don’t be deceived that because it’s from the Côte de Beaune that it will mature quickly.  The 2015 Corton Grancey will benefit from another decade or two of cellaring. If you love Burgundy, this one needs to be in your cellar. 98 Michael Apstein Nov 14, 2017