The Crown of Corton.

Majestic yet finely poised, the 2023 Corton Clos du Roy Grand Cru from Domaine Antonin Guyon captures the grandeur of its hill with striking precision. Deep ruby in colour, it opens with complex aromas of ripe black cherry, violet, cedar and earthy spice, evolving to notes of graphite, truffle and fine oak. The palate is powerful yet supremely balanced with concentrated dark fruit framed by silky tannins and a firm mineral backbone. Layers of cassis, sous-bois and warm spice unfold slowly, leading to an exceptionally long, elegant finish with a whisper of smoky oak and sweet herbs. It’s both stately and seductive, the definition of Burgundian nobility.

For when: the meal deserves silence after the first sip.
Pairs with: roast duck, venison, wild mushroom dishes, or simply time.
If this wine were a person, it would wear a velvet jacket and speak softly but command every room.

Domaine Antonin Guyon, based in Savigny-lès-Beaune, is one of Burgundy’s great family-owned domaines, revered for its meticulous approach and timeless sense of style. Founded in the 1960s by Antonin Guyon and now run by his sons Dominique and Michel, the estate owns more than 40 hectares across the Côte d’Or, including some of the region’s most prized Premier and Grand Cru vineyards.

The Clos du Roy parcel, lying on the northern slope of the famed Corton Hill in Aloxe-Corton, produces wines of regal structure and longevity. The fruit is hand-harvested, fermented in small vats, and aged for around 16 months in fine-grained French oak barrels. The 2023 vintage delivers everything one hopes for from this Grand Cru, depth, precision and an almost sculptural balance of power and grace. A Corton to cellar, contemplate, and remember.