Domaine Michel Mallard et Fils - Corton 'Les Renardes' Grand Cru 2010 (3L)

Michel Mallard took the reins at his family’s Ladoix-based domaine in 2005 from his father, Patrick, and has brought with him a strict dedication to working as naturally as possible both out in the vineyards and in the cellar. (Michel is also the winemaker at Domaine d’Eugenie in Vosne-Romanée).

Short of being grouped in with the ‘Natural Wine’ movement Mallard’s vineyards are worked meticulously, vinified by gravity and the finished wines have nearly zero sulfur. The Mallards feel ther terroir-first approach is very beneficial for their 13 hectares of vines spread throughout the Cotes de Beaune (Côte de Nuits-Villages, Chorey-les-Beaune, Savigny-les-Beaune, Ladoix, Aloxe-Corton, Corton and Corton-Charlemagne) as it allows the fruit to thrive and the wines are a touch more expressive and precise than they were before fully adopting their new approach.

The grapes are partially destemmed and stacked in a combination of steel vats and wood casks. Fermentation begins after a week of maceration. Punch downs occur in the beginning with pumps overs taking place and the end of fermentation. The wine is then aged 16 to 18 months in 70% new 228L barrels, the oak of which is sourced from Allier and Vosges. After aging in wood, the wine is transferred to concrete tank where it ages for an additional 6 months before being bottled.

Producer: Domaine Michel Mallard et Fils

Country: France 

Region: Burgundy 

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Appellation: Corton Grand Cru 

Vintage: 2010

Size: 3L