Domaine Louis Latour’s Corton Grand Cru “Clos de la Vigne Au Saint” 2016 is a single-vineyard red Burgundy made from 100% Pinot Noir, sourced from an historic walled clos in Aloxe-Corton first recorded in 1375. The site is noted for its south-facing exposure and red marl-limestone soils on the Corton hill, and Louis Latour is a long-established local owner, with the family’s presence in Aloxe-Corton dating back to at least 1731.

In the cellar, Latour follows a traditionally scaled Grand Cru approach: hand harvesting, open-top vat fermentation, and élevage of roughly 10–12 months in French oak, with about 35% new barrels supplied by the house’s own cooperage. The estate also cites mature vines (around 40 years on average) and low yields (about 35 hl/ha), choices aimed at building concentration and structure.

Critically, the 2016 is led by an excellent review from JamesSuckling.com, where Nick Stock awarded 96 points. Stock calls it “really classy,” highlighting “beautiful tannins” and “pretty ripe fruit,” and describes the shape as “linear and fine.” He also emphasizes the scale and finish—“Full body, gorgeous tannins and a breathtaking finish”—and suggests timing with “Drink in 2022.”

Taken together, the published notes and the wine’s élevage details point to a Corton that prioritizes tannin quality and controlled power rather than overt sweetness, with ripe Pinot Noir fruit framed by a firm, Grand Cru structure. The emphasis on a “linear” profile and a long finish suggests a wine that should reward patience, especially given Corton’s reputation for developing complexity over time. For collectors seeking a classic, site-driven Corton from a major hillholder, the 2016 Clos de la Vigne Au Saint stands out as one of Latour’s more highly praised recent releases.