2001 J.-F. Coche-Dury Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru

We finished in grand style. Three Corton-Charlemagnes from Coche-Dury were easily among the most profound, monumental Burgundies I have ever tasted. I am not sure I own the vocabulary to do these wines justice. The 2001 Corton-Charlemagne was like a diamond in that each taste revealed a new facet as this extraordinary, explosive wine opened up in the glass. Sweet scents of lime peel and crushed rocks lingered on the eternal finish. Coche‰۪s 1996 Corton-Charlemagne was just like his other 1996s; stagerring in its richness, complexity and sheer pedigree. The wine flowed onto the palate with tons of richly scented, layered fruit. It was a profound bottle with plenty of life ahead of it. The 1992 Corton-Charlemagne revealed tar, truffles, honey and smoke. It was creamy, soft and caressing from start to finish. I admit I didn‰۪t taste the desserts. I was more than happy to spend a little extra time contemplating these transcendental, life-affirming wines. (AG)