Tasting notes: This silky, intense Corton Charlemagne from the stupendous 2005 vintage shows pure, amazing chardonnay fruit laced with deep notes of oak and minerals. Incredibly rich and complex, its many shimmering layers of flavor are all set on creamy texture and a firm base of acidity that keeps the wine fresh in the mouth throughout its rich, long finish. Worth knowing: Born in Santenay, France, and now only in his mid-40s, Vincent Girardin began his career in 1982, when he made a scant 650 cases. Today he produces wines from more than 60 appellations throughout the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune, and he has established a devoted following among connoisseurs—especially those who would rather drink their wines than sit on them for decades.
