2012 Corton Les Paulands

The 2012 Corton Les Paulands Grand Cru has a reticent nose that stubbornly refuses to come out and play. The palate is medium-bodied with plenty of sappy red fruit mixed with black pepper and flinty notes towards the taut, but crisp and focused finish. It is just a little abrupt at the moment. This will need a couple of years in bottle at least. Domaine Comte Senard is one of the few domaines that seems to cater and welcome passing visitors, with wine available for sale, a comfortable tasting room and accompanying food available at their home in Aloxe-Corton. The winemaking facility itself is located just a five minute drive away in a more spacious, if less aesthetically pleasing facility just off of the RN74, where I tasted the 2012s direct from stainless steel vats. The estate originate from 1857 when Jules Senard created the “Clos des Meix” vineyard in Corton, which his great-grandson Philippe Senard continues to tend alongside other parcels of grand cru in the vicinity. In 2000 he was joined by his daughter Lorraine, who has taken the reins since 2002 with respect to the white and 2005 apropos the reds. There is a relatively higher percentage of new oak here, often around 50% for the premier crus and grand crus, which to me seems in proportion to the fruit, whilst there is use of whole bunches in the blend. These were consistently good wines, perhaps not quite reaching the Elysian heights of some of their peers, but cleanly made, fresh and long in the mouth. There is a slight commercial bent to the cuvees but there is nothing wrong with pleasing the customer. Importer: no known US importer though available through Fine & Rare Wines (UK)