Domaine Marius Delarche Corton Renardes Grand Cru 2016 (750ml)

 

It’s easy to miss the petite hamlet of Pernand-Vergelesses, hiding behind bulk of the noble Corton hill.  Yet this Côte de Beaune village, with its impeccable vineyards, is a treasure trove of refined Burgundy wines.  For more than three generations, the Delarche family has crafted authentic, earthy and expressive Burgundy in Pernand, much under the radar of the Burgundy cognoscenti.  Yet Delarche Burgundy offers a clarity and purity of flavor that is captivating; whites are creamy and concentrated, taking a cue from Corton-Charlemagne, while reds are spicy and refined, seductive from the moment they’re bottled yet able to age effortlessly for years.

 

Domaine Marius Delarche

 

Corton Renardes Grand Cru 2016

 

 Winery:  Domaine Marius Delarche

 

Winemaker:  Etienne Delarche

 

Established:  1940s

 

Region:  France • Burgundy • Côte de Beaune • Pernand-Vergelesses

 

Appellation:  Corton Renardes AOC

 

Blend:  100% Pinot Noir

 

Vineyards

 

Estate vines were planted by winemaker Etienne Delarche’s father in ‘Renardes,’ part of the larger Corton grand cru vineyard.  Facing southeast, vines sit at 900 feet in altitude; the slope’s stony soils mix brown limestone and iron-rich marl.

 

The family’s few vines here too at the summit of the vineyard are also half a century old; Corton’s iron-rich soils are present in the wine’s structure and tangy finish.

 

Age of Vines:  50+ Years

 

Winemaking:  Hand-harvested.  Destemmed; fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks.  Aged in older French barrels (30% new) for one year.  Bottled unfined and unfiltered.

 

Tasting Impressions:  Aromas of red and black berries, warm earth, licorice, light smoke.  Tannic yet balanced; layered.  Flavors of blackberry, red plum, licorice; refined minerality.

 

Pairings  Suggestion:  Charcuterie; grilled pork sausages; French cheese from Burgundy (like Comté)

 

 

Domaine Marius Delarche

 

Pernand-Vergelesses - Côte de Beaune - Burgundy

 

Established:  1940s

Winemaker:  Etienne Delarche

Region:  France • Burgundy • Côte de Beaune • Pernand-Vergelesses
 

Vineyard Size:  22 Acres

 

Practicing Sustainable Farming

 

Burgundy from Domaine Marius Delarche stands as an example of what great wine can and should be: both memorable and affordable.  We first came across the family’s tiny cellars in Pernand-Vergelesses in the early 1990s, and honestly couldn’t believe what we saw, or tasted. Hidden away in this peaceful valley in the shadow of the noble hill of Corton was certainly the Côte de Beaune’s best-kept secret—gorgeous wines made by an honest winemaker for prices that reminded of decades past.

 

Delarche Burgundy offers a clarity and purity of flavor that is captivating.  Whites are creamy and concentrated, taking a cue from grand cru Corton-Charlemagne; reds are spicy and refined, delicious from the moment they’re bottled to years later, when you pop the cork on a perfectly cellared grand cru.

 

And while the mantle at Delarche has passed from father to son, the charm and authenticity we found way back then still exists today.  The family sadly lost Philippe Delarche, winemaker Etienne Delarche’s father, to cancer in 2007.  Etienne had returned home in 2003, after finishing his enology degree in Beaune and completing a series of stages at international wineries, to ease the transition.

 

Farming & Winemaking

 

Vines are cared for as closely to organic principles as possible, but the estate is not certified.  All grapes are harvested by hand.

 

For reds, Pinot Noir grapes are destemmed and fermented on indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled, stainless steel tanks.  Wines are aged in French oak barrels, with no more than 30% new wood, for 12 to 15 months.

 

For whites, Chardonnay grapes are destemmed and pressed delicately in a horizontal, pneumatic press.  Juice is fermented on indigenous yeasts in older French oak barrels; the estate’s Corton-Charlemagne is fermented and aged in new oak.  All wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.