Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2006

Domaine Bonneau du Martray is one of Burgundy’s most revered wine estates, uniquely dedicated to producing only Grand Cru wines from the hill of Corton in the Côte de Beaune. Situated in the village of Pernand-Vergelesses, the domaine traces its historic roots back through centuries of viticulture, with its vineyards famously linked to Emperor Charlemagne and the monks of the region long before the French Revolution. Today the estate encompasses roughly 11 hectares of prime Grand Cru terroir, with about 9.5 hectares planted to Chardonnay for Corton-Charlemagne and 1.5 hectares to Pinot Noir for red Corton. Over the years it has become known for its biodynamic viticultural practices and meticulous vineyard management, and while long held by the Le Bault de la Morinière family, a majority stake was sold in 2017 to American vintner, Stan Kroenke, who continues to uphold the estate’s legacy of excellence.

At the heart of Bonneau du Martray’s prestige is its Grand Cru Corton-Charlemagne, a white Burgundy that stands apart thanks to its remarkable terroir and winemaking philosophy. The vineyard faces west — a rare orientation in Burgundy — allowing extended afternoon and evening sunlight that contributes to the wine’s depth and clarity, while the complex mosaic of marl, silts, and limestone soils offers remarkable minerality and finesse to the Chardonnay grapes. Viticulture is intensive and precise, with many parcels vinified separately and matured carefully in French oak before blending; these practices, coupled with the estate’s biodynamic approach, yield wines of profound balance, structure, and age-worthy potential. Bonneau du Martray’s Corton-Charlemagne is widely regarded as one of the great white Burgundies, celebrated for its purity, energy, and expression of site.

The 2006 Domaine Bonneau du Martray Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru exemplifies the enduring character and complexity that this estate’s flagship wine can achieve with age. Sourced from the domaine’s contiguous holdings on the historic hill of Corton and vinified with great care, bottles from this vintage reveal evocative layers of peach, grapefruit, spice, and a pronounced mineral streak that carries through the finish. Collectors and connoisseurs often seek out this particular release for its balance between richness and tension — a testament to both the extraordinary terroir and the meticulous winemaking tradition at Bonneau du Martray. While older vintages can sometimes pose cellar challenges, when well preserved the 2006 displays an impressive evolution and remains a striking example of one of Burgundy’s most iconic white wines.