Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru La Toppe au Vert
la TOP oh VAIR
A compact, southeast-facing premier cru at the foot of the Corton hill, delivering structured elegance from the Ladoix-Serrigny commune.
La Toppe au Vert is a 0.30-hectare Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru situated in Ladoix-Serrigny at the base of the Corton hill. One of six Aloxe-Corton premier cru climates physically located within the Ladoix commune, it sits directly below the Corton Vergennes Grand Cru. Pinot Noir grown here produces medium-bodied reds with firm structure and a notably elegant profile.
- Total area: 0.30 hectares, making it one of the smallest premier cru climates in Aloxe-Corton
- Classified as Burgundy Premier Cru in 1938
- Located in Ladoix-Serrigny commune, one of six Aloxe-Corton 1ers Crus physically situated there
- Southeast-facing aspect on the lower slopes of the Corton hill
- Elevation ranges from 200 to 300 meters above sea level
- Soils are shallow to moderately thick clay with limestone debris and flint
- Sits below Corton Vergennes Grand Cru on the slope hierarchy
Location and Classification
La Toppe au Vert occupies a precise and historically significant position within the Côte de Beaune. Despite carrying the Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru appellation, the climat is physically located within the commune of Ladoix-Serrigny, one of six Aloxe-Corton premier crus to share this geographical distinction. The vineyard lies in the heart of the Ladoix-Serrigny village at the foot of the southeast-facing Corton hill, positioned directly below the Corton Vergennes Grand Cru on the slope. Premier cru classification was awarded in 1938.
- Appellation: Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru, physically in Ladoix-Serrigny commune
- Classified premier cru: 1938
- Positioned below Corton Vergennes Grand Cru on the Corton hill
- Part of a group of six Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru climates in Ladoix commune
Terroir and Soils
The vineyard benefits from a southeast-facing aspect that captures morning sun while the elevation range of 200 to 300 meters moderates temperatures through the growing season. The climate carries continental characteristics with cool influences from proximity to the Côte de Nuits border to the north. Soils are shallow to moderately thick clay with significant limestone debris and flint content, described as pebbly with moderate stony content. This combination of rocky, free-draining soils and the cooling elevation helps Pinot Noir retain freshness and develop the firm tannin structure characteristic of the climat.
- Clay soils with limestone debris and flint throughout the profile
- Southeast aspect maximises morning sun exposure
- Continental climate with cool northern influences from nearby Côte de Nuits
- Elevation of 200 to 300 meters contributes to finesse and structural tension
Wines and Style
La Toppe au Vert is planted exclusively with Pinot Noir, consistent with the red wine tradition of the Corton hill's lower slopes. The wines are medium-bodied with firm structure and fine tannins, pointing toward an elegant rather than powerful profile. The position at the base of the hill and the stony clay soils give the wine a distinct character that reflects its proximity to both the grand cru above and the village-level vineyards below. At just 0.30 hectares, production volumes are very small, making wines from this climat genuinely rare.
- Sole variety: Pinot Noir
- Style: medium-bodied, firm structure, fine tannins, elegant profile
- Very limited production due to 0.30-hectare size
- Character shaped by stony clay soils and moderate elevation
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Open Wine Lookup →Notable Producers
Given the vineyard's tiny size, only a handful of producers hold parcels in La Toppe au Vert. Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair brings a meticulous, terroir-focused approach from its base in Nuits-Saint-Georges. Domaine Michel Mallard and Maison Capitain-Gagnerot, both rooted in the Ladoix-Serrigny area, provide local custodianship of this climat with generations of experience on the Corton hill.
- Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair: renowned for precision Burgundy from multiple appellations
- Domaine Michel Mallard: Ladoix-based producer with deep roots in the commune
- Maison Capitain-Gagnerot: established négociant and domaine with strong Ladoix focus
Medium-bodied Pinot Noir with firm, fine tannins and a structured yet elegant profile. Expect red and dark fruit, earthy mineral notes from the limestone and flint soils, and a cool-climate freshness reflecting the proximity to the Côte de Nuits border. The wines show more finesse than power, with good aging potential driven by structure rather than weight.
- Domaine Thibault Liger-Belair Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru La Toppe au Vert$80-120Meticulous terroir-focused producer; showcases the elegant, firmly structured character of this tiny 0.30-hectare climat.Find →
- Maison Capitain-Gagnerot Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru La Toppe au Vert$55-80Ladoix-rooted négociant with longstanding ties to the Corton hill; reliable, terroir-honest expressions of this climat.Find →
- Domaine Michel Mallard Aloxe-Corton 1er Cru La Toppe au Vert$50-75Local Ladoix-Serrigny producer offering direct access to the commune's character with generational vineyard knowledge.Find →
- La Toppe au Vert carries the Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru appellation but is physically located in the commune of Ladoix-Serrigny, one of six such climates in this situation.
- The climat was classified as Burgundy Premier Cru in 1938 and covers just 0.30 hectares.
- Soils are shallow to moderately thick clay with limestone debris and flint, typical of the lower Corton hill.
- The vineyard sits below Corton Vergennes Grand Cru on the southeast-facing slope of the Corton hill.
- The continental climate is modified by cool influences from proximity to the Côte de Nuits border, contributing to the elegant, structured style.