【Clive Coates was once rated as the only 1-star winery in the village in the book *The Wines of Burgundy*】
【The Corton Les Bressandes Grand Cru vineyard currently used by DRC for its winemaking】
ZTF376 Prince Florent de Merode Corton Les Bressandes Grand Cru 2006
Special Price: $2150/btl
Type：Red Wine
Grape Varieties / ingredient：100% Pinot Noir
Region：Corton Les Bressandes Grand Cru / Burgundy
ABV：%
Volume：750ml
Domaine Prince Florent de Merode is a historic estate located in the heart of Burgundy—the village of Aloxe-Corton. This winery holds a special place in the hearts of Burgundy enthusiasts, not only for its aristocratic background but also for its top-tier vineyard plots.
De Merode is one of the oldest noble families in Europe, originating in Belgium. The winery, long managed by Prince Florent de Merode, showcases the quintessential Burgundy classic style. The most significant news about the winery in recent years was in 2008 when the De Merode family leased all of its vineyards to the legendary Burgundy winery Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) on a long-term basis.
What they are most proud of is their prime location within the Corton Grand Cru vineyards. DRC's current Corton wines come from these three Grand Cru plots owned by the De Merode family:
- Corton-Bressandes: Known for its elegance and finesse.
- Corton-Clos du Roi: Considered the most balanced and layered plot on the Corton hillside.
- Corton-Renardes: More robust and powerful, with a strong earthy character.
A close look at the label reveals that, while maintaining the consistently simple style of Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, below the large "Corton" Grand Cru name, there is a smaller line clearly indicating the vineyard's owner: "Prince Florent de Merode."
Before being managed by DRC in 2008, Prince Florent de Merode was known for its "extremely traditional" wines:
- Low human intervention: It favored traditional winemaking methods, avoiding excessive oak influence.
- High aging potential: While it might appear restrained or even somewhat tight when young, after 10-15 years of aging, it reveals excellent layering and earthy minerality.
- Purity: Although it wasn't as well-known as some major commercial brands at the time, its high-quality grape sourcing gave its wines significant investment and tasting value.
Since the winery no longer bottles under its own label (the main vineyards are now under DRC Corton), most wines bearing the "Prince Florent de Merode" label are from vintages before 2008. For collectors, this presents an excellent opportunity to experience the historical performance of a "DRC-affiliated vineyard" at a relatively reasonable price.
Corton-Bressandes
Slope and Elevation: Located on the east to southeast slopes of Corton, at an elevation of approximately 250 to 300 meters. This slope allows for excellent morning sunlight, contributing to ideal grape ripeness.
Soil Composition: The soil here has a complex structure, primarily composed of limestone and fine clay. Compared to neighboring Clos du Roi or Renardes, Bressandes' soil contains more limestone gravel, which imparts more "airiness" and finesse to the wines.
Among the many plots in Corton, Bressandes is often referred to as "the Musigny of Corton," referring to its unique charm that pursues ultimate elegance within power. For collectors who appreciate precise terroir expression, this is an understated gem with untapped potential.
