The 2016 Corton Cuvée Charlotte Dumay, bought from the Hospices de Beaune, has an opulent bouquet with layers of black and red fruit, a touch of vanilla and very expressive new oak, as expected given the modus operandi of the Hospices. The palate is ripe and rounded on the entry with succulent tannins that caress the senses. It is relatively modern in style compared to the usual style of the domaine, but it is well defined and has a sensual appeal. I would certainly afford this 4 or 5 years in bottle in order to subsume the oak.

The 1920 Cuvée Charlotte Dumay Corton Grand Cru was an absolutely divine, dare I say heavenly (or heaven-sent) expression of antique Burgundy. The nose is ethereal, light but perfumed with delicate traces of red fruit, wisps of sous-bois and tobacco. The palate is beautifully balanced and pure as the driven nose with "airy" tart red fruit, a keen line of acidity and a poise on the finish nigh impossible to articulate. One of those transcendental vinous moments forever lodged in the memory.