Corton Grand Cru, Jane Eyre, 2023 - Magnum
Corton Grand Cru, Jane Eyre, 2023 - Magnum
- Red Still
- 150.0cl
- 13.5%
- Pinot Noir
Corton is the only red Grand Cru in the Côte de Beaune, and it plays by its own rules — broader and more muscular than the Côte de Nuits grands crus, yet capable of a finesse that surprises anyone who underestimates it. Maison Jane Eyre is a small, quality-focused négociant house working with carefully sourced Burgundy fruit, and their Corton Grand Cru in magnum is the kind of wine that rewards a little patience. Pinot Noir from this elevated, iron-rich hillside delivers red cherry, earthy depth, and a mineral backbone that magnum format only sharpens over time.
We think 2023 is a vintage worth paying attention to — warm and generous without tipping into excess, producing wines with real structure alongside the charm.
- ❖ ABV: 13.5%
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Vintage report
The 2023 growing season in Burgundy unfolded like a cautionary tale about climate change, then pulled off a last-minute redemption that left everyone rather stunned. After a warm, early spring pushed budbreak ahead of schedule, the vines endured a thoroughly miserable summer of persistent rain and cool temperatures that had growers muttering darkly about rot and dilution. Just when things looked dire, September arrived with glorious sunshine and dry winds that concentrated the fruit and saved the harvest—though not without some frantic sorting in the cellars.
What emerged from this meteorological rollercoaster are wines that wear their vintage on their sleeve: Pinot Noirs with bright, singing acidity and red fruit that feels almost crystalline in its purity, whilst the Chardonnays show remarkable tension and mineral drive. The reds are drinking beautifully now if you fancy immediate pleasure, but we suspect the better villages and premiers crus will reward patience over the next decade. It's not a powerhouse vintage, but there's something genuinely charming about these wines—they remind us why we fell for Burgundy in the first place.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceClear, medium-deep ruby with a bright, youthful rim and good clarity.
NoseFresh red cherry and wild strawberry lead, backed by that distinctive Corton iron and damp earth quality. There's a whisper of new oak spice — cinnamon and cedar — that frames rather than dominates, with a lift of dried rose petal as the glass opens up.
PalateMedium-full bodied with the broader shoulders typical of Corton, but 2023's generous fruit keeps things lively. Silky tannins are present and structured, not yet fully resolved, giving the wine real presence without austerity. The acidity is precise and clean, pulling the cherry and red plum fruit into focus rather than letting it sprawl.
FinishLong and mineral, with a persistent iron and dried herb quality that lingers well past the fruit.
Overall impressionA serious, site-expressive Corton in the best vintage traditions — it just needs a little time to find itself.
Food Pairings
In the villages around Aloxe-Corton, this kind of wine has always sat alongside roasted Bresse chicken with a cream and morel sauce — the earthiness of the wine and the richness of the dish find each other effortlessly. Burgundian beef dishes are an obvious companion too: boeuf bourguignon slow-cooked with lardons and shallots, or a simple côte de boeuf rested in butter. Local cheese is another great match; an aged Époisses or a firm Comté at room temperature cuts through the wine's structure beautifully. For something lighter, a terrine of duck or guinea fowl with cornichons is exactly what a Sunday lunch in Beaune looks like.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 16-17°C — slightly cooler than many expect for red Burgundy, which helps preserve the wine's freshness and lift. A magnum like this benefits from a gentle decant of 45 minutes to an hour; it won't transform dramatically, but it will open its shoulders and show more generosity. Use a large-bowled Burgundy glass that allows the aromas to gather and evolve — a Zalto Burgundy or equivalent is ideal.
Corton sits on the grand hill shared between the communes of Aloxe-Corton, Ladoix-Sérigné, and Pernand-Vergelesses, with Grand Cru vineyards wrapped around its upper slopes. The soils are a mix of brown limestone and iron-rich red clay — the latter gives Corton rouge its characteristic earthy, almost rustic grip compared to more refined Côte de Nuits expressions. Higher altitude and greater sun exposure than many Burgundy Grand Cru sites means the grapes ripen thoroughly while retaining acidity, producing wines of both power and freshness.
Corton Grand Cru is Burgundy's largest red Grand Cru by area, covering around 100 hectares across multiple lieux-dits on the Corton hill. The appellation allows Pinot Noir for red wines and, separately, Chardonnay under the Corton-Charlemagne designation. Its scale and diversity of ownership mean quality varies considerably between producers, which has historically made Corton the most debated of Burgundy's red grands crus — some find it earthy and stern where others find depth and grandeur. At its best, it occupies a compelling middle ground between the elegance of Chambolle-Musigny and the sheer muscle of Gevrey-Chambertin.
The 2023 growing season in Burgundy unfolded like a cautionary tale about climate change, then pulled off a last-minute redemption that left everyone rather stunned. After a warm, early spring pushed budbreak ahead of schedule, the vines endured a thoroughly miserable summer of persistent rain and cool temperatures that had growers muttering darkly about rot and dilution. Just when things looked dire, September arrived with glorious sunshine and dry winds that concentrated the fruit and saved the harvest—though not without some frantic sorting in the cellars.
What emerged from this meteorological rollercoaster are wines that wear their vintage on their sleeve: Pinot Noirs with bright, singing acidity and red fruit that feels almost crystalline in its purity, whilst the Chardonnays show remarkable tension and mineral drive. The reds are drinking beautifully now if you fancy immediate pleasure, but we suspect the better villages and premiers crus will reward patience over the next decade. It's not a powerhouse vintage, but there's something genuinely charming about these wines—they remind us why we fell for Burgundy in the first place.
FAQs
What does this wine taste like?
It's a structured, site-driven red Burgundy with red cherry, iron-tinged earth, and a precise mineral backbone. The 2023 vintage adds a generous, fruit-forward quality that makes it more approachable than many Cortons, but the classic Corton grip and depth are firmly in place.
When should I drink this wine?
We'd suggest holding off until 2028 at the earliest — the tannins need a little time to settle. The magnum format slows ageing nicely, so this should be drinking at its best from 2030 to 2038, and holding well until 2042.
Is the magnum format worth it?
For a wine like this, yes. Magnums age more slowly and evenly than standard bottles, which means more complexity and freshness over a longer period. If you're thinking about cellaring, a magnum of Corton Grand Cru is a genuinely worthwhile investment of patience.
What food should I serve with this?
Roast Bresse chicken with morels, boeuf bourguignon, or a rested côte de boeuf are the classic regional answers. An aged Comté or room-temperature Époisses also works well if you're heading towards cheese.
How should I serve it?
Decant for around 45 minutes to an hour and serve at 16-17°C. Use a large Burgundy glass — a Zalto Burgundy or similar — to give the wine room to open up and show its character.
What makes Corton Grand Cru different from other red Burgundy Grand Crus?
Corton is the only red Grand Cru in the Côte de Beaune, and it's notably broader and more muscular than the grands crus of Gevrey-Chambertin or Chambolle-Musigny. The iron-rich soils give it a distinctive earthy, sometimes rustic quality that divides opinion, but at its best it's one of Burgundy's most distinctive and age-worthy reds.
Want to know more?
Discuss your requirements with our account managers, Jeremy & Jen
-
Personal Service
- Our team are always on hand to support you, taking orders online, by phone or email & responding to urgent requests.
- Our efficient warehouse & team of drivers always go the extra mile to deliver our wines to you.
- Our new, high-capacity warehouse ensures excellent availability of wines.
- Our new enterprise platform means hassle-free service, from inventory to billing.
-
Our Sales Team
Speak to one of our teamJeremy Cowan
After managing his own stores and a further stint in independent retail, Jeremy has dedicated 12 years to trade sales in the North West.
Jen Neilan
Twenty years in hospitality later, after curating the wine list for Manchester’s first Neapolitan pizza restaurant, and running a natural wine bar, Jen made the move to the other side of the table.