Corton rouge Grand Cru Les Fiètres 2023 Domaine Vincent Bouzereau

The Corton Grand Cru Rouge Les Fiètres 2023 from Domaine Vincent Bouzereau is the domaine's supreme red expression, acquired with care and conviction by Vincent and Aline Bouzereau in 2003. Shared between only two proprietors, this red appellation is of absolute rarity, and the walled Clos des Fiètres yields but a handful of barrels each year of a dense, profound Pinot Noir whose complexity and power do honour to the Corton slope.

Terroir and vineyard

The Clos des Fiètres sits ideally between Corton Perrières and Corton Chaumes, at the edge of Aloxe-Corton village, largely protected by a stone wall. The name Fiètres derives from 'fierte', meaning 'coffin', likely recalling an ancient cemetery at Aloxe-Corton. Domaine Vincent Bouzereau's parcel, just 15 ares, is planted with Pinot Noir averaging 70 years old on red clay and gravelly soils that give the wine remarkable density and fine salinity on the finish. This ferruginous red clay, combined with the limestone of the Corton slope, is precisely what creates the dense, profound character and beautiful salinity that distinguishes this Corton among the most powerful and fleshy of the Côte de Beaune. Viticulture is conducted under reasoned management, with simple Guyot pruning, adapted débourgeonnage and hand harvesting. Winemaking is traditional and precise: sorting table, destemming without crushing, open vat fermentation with temperature control. Twice-daily pump-overs without punching down to preserve fruit. No added yeast, indigenous yeasts only to maintain terroir and vintage character. Ageing of 15 to 18 months in oak barrels, light or no filtration to preserve aromatics, bottled at the domaine.

Tasting profile

The robe is a deep, dense ruby with purple tinges, luminous and intensely coloured, revealing the natural concentration of this red clay terroir. The nose shows intense and refined aromas with ripe fruit and delicate floral notes. Black cherry, blackberry, blackcurrant and soft spice compose a bouquet of remarkable natural richness and depth, accompanied by a light touch of liquorice and an earthy, ferruginous note that speaks directly to the red clay soil of Clos des Fiètres. In the 2023 vintage, the natural freshness preserved across the Côte de Beaune brings particular precision to the aromatics and tannin structure. The palate is broad, dense and well structured, with substantial density and fine salinity on the finish characteristic of this terroir. The tannins are present, noble and silky textured, underpinned by fresh acidity well integrated that brings tension and length. The finish is long, saline and of remarkable persistence. A Grand Cru of substantial constitution and flawless elegance, to be cellared wisely for the next five to ten years.

The domaine

The Bouzereau family has been vigneronne since the sixteenth century. Vincent Bouzereau established himself in 1990 at Meursault, today managing a ten-hectare domaine spread across eight villages of the Côte de Beaune. Accompanied by his wife Aline and now by their children Louis and Clotilde, he constantly seeks to refine his viticulture, winemaking and ageing methods for ever more precise and honest production.

Food pairing

This Corton Grand Cru Rouge Les Fiètres will pair splendidly with grilled or roasted red meat, game birds such as partridge or pheasant, côte de boeuf with wild mushrooms, rack of lamb with Provençal herbs, hare in sauce, or matured cheeses such as Époisses or aged Comté. Decanting for two hours is advised in its youth. Served between 15 and 17°C, it will progressively reveal the full density, tannin richness and salinity of a Grand Cru from the Corton slope crafted with care and conviction by one of Meursault's most principled vigneronne families.