The 2016 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru was sporting a small reduction on the nose though there is plenty of fruit underneath. The palate is quite powerful and voluminous, waxy in texture with a touch of orange rind on the slightly short finish. Not bad at all, although I found that it was surpassed by several of Benjamin's premier crus.

The 2013 Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru, which is from the Pernand side, has a touch of whipped cream on the citrus nose. The palate has a spicy entry and a pleasant fatness and weight in the mouth. There are quite pronounced grilled walnut and smoky notes here lending the finish more complexity. Excellent.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2012 tasting in Beaune. The 2012 Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru from Mon. Leroux has an understated bouquet, one that is well defined but needs a small kick up the backside. There are touches of white flowers coming through, a delicate set of aromatics that gently unfold. The palate is better with well-judged acidity, a bit more lime coming through than Domaine de la Vougeraie’s example and armed with more phenolics towards the finish. Perhaps this Corton-Charlemagne shows more work in the winery (there was just a single barrel if I recall correctly) yet it has a pleasant, lime and lemongrass-tinged finish that is very appealing. This is a more feminine Corton-Charlemagne, one that has class and style.

The 2010 Corton-Charlemagne is pure class and elegance. Soft, floral notes meld into nuanced, finessed pears and apples in this feminine, gracious Corton-Charlemagne. Deceptively medium in body, the wine nevertheless possesses gorgeous depth, richness and power. A closing blast of fruit informs the pointed, vibrant finish. This is a gorgeous wine with plenty of promise. The Corton-Charlemagne is made from a blend of Pernand-Vergelesses and Ladoix fruit, approximately two-thirds and one-third respectively. Anticipated maturity: 2014+. Benjamin Leroux is probably best known to readers for his superb work at Comte Armand, but the wines Leroux crafts under his own micro-negociant label are equally worthy of attention. Readers may also want to check out my video interview with Leroux on our website for more on his views on current vintages. In addition to the wines listed here, I also tasted just about all the 2011 whites. Those wines are shaping up beautifully and in some cases will rival or perhaps even surpass the 2010s for their balance. If the 2010s have a weakness here, it is that they are at times a bit on the heavy side. A Becky Wasserman Selection, Le Serbet, various American importers, including: Fine Vines, IL; tel. (708) 343-6702, Cavatappi, Washington; tel. (206) 282-5226, Veritas Imports, CA; tel. (310) 205-3800, Verity Wine Partners, New York, NY; tel. (212) 683-8763