Corton "Renardes" Grand Cru 1996, Domaine Maillard

Tasted at a superb banquet at Hunan, the Taiwanese restaurant in Chelsea, this wine was a gift from the owner for which we were most thankful! This 1996 Corton-Renardes was immediately big and gamey, like a herd of wildebeast. Pungent, smoked pigeon, figgy, and laced with aromatics like violets and licorice. On the palate mixes flavours like beef cooked with orange, tree bark and spice bark like cinnamon and cloves. Thick, chewy black berry fruit and solid tannins. A splendid and powerful Corton from a vintage which is not known as an easy one for pinots.