Domaine Bonneau du Martray
Grands Crus Corton Charlemagne and Corton
According to the legend, Emperor Charlemagne passing by the hill of Corton in winter noticed that the snow had already melted on most of its slopes whereas other areas were still covered in snow; he was also astonished by the unusual amount of light shining on the hill of Corton. Hence, commanded vines to be planted in this particularly bright place.
Bonneau du Martray is the most famous Domaine of the hill of Corton and covers 11 hectares of Grand Crus in a single vineyard.
The estate owns the most prominent vine plots of the Hill of Corton, located in the historical part of the hill - in the “En Charlemagne” and “Le Charlemagne” climat. Looking West and South-West, the vines avoid the morning heat and enjoy optimal sunshine till sunset. Their single vineyard stretches from uphill to downhill encompassing the plurality of terroirs defined by Bonneau du Martray as 3 distinct microclimates.
15 plots of Charlemagne all vinified independently; the wine spends 12 months in oak (a third in new oak) before blending the plots together - the goal is to reach the perfect harmony between all plots and create the most exhaustive expression of Corton-Charlemagne terroir. The barrels not fitting in the final blend would be dismissed. This might explain why the wines are so consistent over the vintages.
Today, the Domaine farms 6,5 hectares of Corton-Charlemagne while it leases 2,9 hectares to Domaine de la Romanée Conti; the Domaine also farms 1,7 hectares of Corton. The Domaine is certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter).
Since 2017, the Domaine is owned by Stan Kroenke who also owns Screaming Eagle, Jonata, and The Hilt in California.
Photos courtesy of Domaine Bonneau du Martray
