2019 HENRI DE VILLAMONT LES RENARDES GRAND CRU CORTON Pinot Noir exists on the famous Hill of Corton because of the Roman Emperor Charlemagne, who enjoyed drinking it daily and ordered planting the vines. Legend has it that in his later years, Charlemagne spilled a fair amount of Pinot Noir into his beard, staining his clothes and annoying his wife, who in turn demanded he quit drinking wine. Instead, Charlemagne switched to white wine and replanted part of the hill with Chardonnay, so he could continue drinking wine to his heart’s content. Les Renardes is a climat within the renowned Corton Grand Cru AOC planted with Pinot Noir, and the wines produced there are still as prized as they were during Charlemagne’s reign. The 2019 vintage was barrel aged in 50% new French oak for 15 months and exudes a generous aromatic expression and impressively mouth-filling, sensual wine.