The 2017 Aloxe-Corton La Toppe Au Vert 1er Cru contains no whole clusters (there will be some in 2018) since the vines are planted on shallow soils. It has an expressive bouquet of red cherries, crushed strawberry, rose petal and a touch of orange pith. This feels open and generous already - quite precocious for the vintage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, very well judged acidity, smooth texture and a little corpulence toward the candied finish. This will be difficult to resist in its youth - you have been warned.
Neal Martin, October 2018