Corton Grand Cru Prince Florent de Merode 2010 Domaine de la Romanée Conti AOC Corton GC 75cl

The 2010 Corton comes across as a bit light in this vintage. Attractive floral, spiced notes emerge from the glass in this perfumed, delicate wine. The Corton is pretty, but it is a clear notch or two below the rest of the wines in the lineup and is equally distant from the level of the thrilling 2009. The Corton is made in two vinifications, an old-vine cuvee and a young-vine cuvee. This blend was assembled about a week before I tasted it. Anticipated maturity: 2018-2030.

I tasted the 2010s twice from barrel, once in the summer just as the wines were about to be racked and then again during my early December visit. On both occasions the wines were stellar. Like virtually all of his colleagues, co-manager Aubert de Villaine was surprised by the level of the 2010s given all of the challenges of the growing season. I could repeat everything de Villaine told me, but there is no better source than the man himself, so readers who want to learn more about the 2010 harvest may want to take a look at my interview with de Villaine on www.erobertparker.com. Overall, I am very impressed with the 2010s with the exception of the Corton, which appears to be a notch or two below the 2009. The 2010 that most greatly exceeds its appellation and historical level of quality is the Echezeaux. I also tasted the 2010 Vosne-Romanee Cuvee Duvault-Blochet but the domaine had not yet decided if the wine would be released. I will report on the 2009s in our April issue.

Robert Parker Wine Advocate