The 2005 vintage in Burgundy has elevated wines that are ordinarily great to absolutely outstanding. Case in point: Comtes Senard.
While the domaine has glorious parcels in some of Corton's best climats, their past efforts to coax out the full potential of their Grand Cru fruit have been uneven.
2005, however, is another story. This vintage gave Senard, as it did most Burgundians, near-perfect fruit, and winemaker Lorraine Senard took full advantage of this gift. While the domaine's 2005 lineup is very, very good across the board, two bottlings distinguished themselves with such authority that I had to buy them: The 2005 Corton-Clos du Roi and Corton-Bressandes. These are absolutely top notch Cortons. For those looking to put a few 2005s in the cellar before they disappear, look no further.
These two Cortons alone definitively put Senard back in the spotlight as one of the top producers of red Corton, right up there with Faiveley, Pousse d'Or, Chandon de Briailles and Bouchard. Alan Meadows, the Burghound, seems to agree, adorning the wines with high scores (the Clos du Roi garnered 94, the Bressandes 93 points) and his famed 'Sweet Spot' moniker.
Given their incredible value, I'd challenge anyone to leave these wines off their hit list of "must have" 2005 Grand Cru red Burgs.
The Corton-Clos du Roi is wickedly complex with a presence that is nothing short of massive, though the layered fruit is very precise and very elegant. As you'd expect from Corton-Clos du Roi, this Senard is very structured and begs for some time in the cellar.
The Corton-Bressandes is, at the moment, much more exuberant and filled with red fruit; the mouthfeel is suave and persistent. Though a good decant brought this wine very much to life, the wine will only improve with some cellar time.
The magic of both wines lies in their versatility - a good amount of "baby fat" remains for hedonistic drinking today, while the 'raw material' in these Senards is so incredible that it's almost painful to think how good these bottles will be in 5 to 10 years (or longer if you have the patience). Cellaring these wines would be wise.
Yes, we live in a fast food nation where everything needs to be finished the minute before last. This email - this wine! - asks for a slower pace, for some time. Believe me these two bottles will repay you, with interest, for your generosity and patience in cellaring them.
While the low $70 range is not a paltry amount of money to spend on a bottle of wine, for top-notch 2005 Grand Cru Burgundy, it is an absolute steal.
In 5 years, when you open a bottle of the 2005 Corton-Bressandes over a rosemary dusted rack of lamb, the purchase today will seem very wise indeed.
In 10 years, when you open a bottle of the Corton-Clos du Roi, you'll be kicking yourself for not buying a few more bottles at the price that now seems dirt cheap, too-good-to-be true, especially when the new release (2016) Senards are five+ times the price!
Given the continued strength of the Euro and dwindling stocks of the 2005s, this will likely be your last chance to find such a great deal on "Grand" 2005 Burgundy to put in your cellar for a rainy day.
To secure your allotment of our limited supply of Senard Grand Crus, please click the button below or call the store.
Ian McFadden
Director of Fine and Rare Wine
Crush Wine & Spirits
Click below to check inventory on Comte Senard's 2005 Corton-Clos du Roi and Corton-Bressandes.