In 1857, Jules Senard planted a 2.5-hectare parcel in Aloxe-Corton that would become Corton 'Clos des Meix', a walled, single-family-owned Grand Cru monopole that remains the jewel of Domaine Comte Senard to this day. Six generations later, the domaine is now led by Lorraine and Matthieu Senard, who took over from Lorraine's father, Count Philippe Senard, continuing a family project approaching 170 years old.
The Corton Hill: Burgundy's Great Exception
Corton is unusual in Burgundy for being the region's only Grand Cru appellation producing both red and white wine, and one of the few Grand Cru sites in the Côte de Nuits' style but located in the Côte de Beaune. Its slopes are divided into numerous named climats, each with its own character, and Domaine Comte Senard's holdings, expanded over the generations to include Corton 'Paulands', 'Bressandes', and 'Clos du Roi' alongside the family's Clos des Meix monopole, give the estate an unusually complete view of the hill.
The Range at The Vintage Wine Club
Aloxe-Corton 'Jules', named for the domaine's 1857 founder, is the estate's village-level red, an accessible entry point into the Senard style and the Corton hill's character more broadly.
Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru 'Les Valozières' steps up to Premier Cru territory, a site known for producing wines with real structure and ageing potential, sitting just below the Grand Cru slopes proper.
At the top of the range, Corton Blanc Grand Cru offers a rare chance to taste white wine from an appellation overwhelmingly associated with red, a wine of real power and richness that stands apart from its more famous white Grand Cru neighbours, Corton-Charlemagne, grown on the same hill.
Why Family Continuity Matters in Corton
Corton's patchwork of climats and owners can make quality inconsistent across producers. A domaine that has farmed the same parcels for six generations, expanding its holdings deliberately rather than through consolidation or purchase, brings a depth of site knowledge that's difficult to replicate. That continuity, now carried forward by the sixth generation, is precisely what makes Domaine Comte Senard worth seeking out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Corton different from other Grand Cru appellations? Corton is the only Grand Cru in the Côte de Beaune producing significant quantities of red wine at Grand Cru level, and the only Côte de Beaune Grand Cru appellation covering an entire hill of multiple named climats rather than a single small vineyard.
What is Clos des Meix? Clos des Meix is Domaine Comte Senard's walled Grand Cru monopole in Corton, planted in 1857 by the domaine's founder and owned exclusively by the family ever since.
Where can I buy Domaine Comte Senard wines in Kuala Lumpur? Browse the full Domaine Comte Senard collection at The Vintage Wine Club.
For orders, tastings, or personalised recommendations, contact The Vintage Wine Club Malaysia at admin@thevintageclub.my, WhatsApp +6012 2801623, or visit us at Publika, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.