Sometimes it's that simple. Romain Cornin (& the next-gen winemaking team)
2020 Cornin
Bourgogne Blanc
Normal Price: $33+.
Our price: $29 on 1. Buy here!
And only $25 on 6! Buy here!
TL;DR: Old vines. Biodynamics. Gorgeous white Burg. At a price that seems like it might be from another decade (or even a different century). That's it.
Part of me is inclined to just tell you like it is: wines like this don't exist anymore. (In 2022? Post-Trump Tariffs? Post pandemic-induced supply-chain breakdown? Amidst 11+% inflation? You'll have better luck finding a rainbow-maned unicorn in your bushes than a wine of this pedigree and quality for under $30!)
Okay, so you're the one person who can ignore this offer.
But: I wanted to say more! To sing its praises higher! I told my WNF (Wine Nerd Friend) how much I loved this wine; she confessed the feeling was deeply mutual. Then I asked her, how would you explain to people how, well, gooood this is? What Big Statement would she make about this wine, given that we love it so? She wrote (and I quote):
"To me? The appeal is that it's kinda unapologetically Burgundy... in an honest, humble way. It's neither the stuffy, buttoned-up, $$$$ mostly-because-of-label Burg... nor is it young kids running wildly counter to the region's traditions. I realize that may not be a catchy spiel, but it's what I love in this.
"What if the hook is that there's no hook? It may even be dismissive to reduce its undeniable quality down to some schtick. Is any conversation needed besides, "These are really old vines, treated with maximal respect, and the finished product carries the character of the soils and region where they're grown, and we [expletive deleted] love it?"
Romain and old-vine friends
Romain Cornin and his father Dominique use only biodynamic farming methods; it's waaaaaaay more work to farm this way, but they believe — nay, know — that it's the only way for their old-vine vineyards to express themselves. (Vines are 50 years on average, and some date back a century!) They also live in and among the vineyards, and add, “Our goal is to produce grapes that our children and grandchildren can eat without having to think twice.” They harvest by hand, and their work in the cellar is as hands-off as possible. (Simple? Yes. Easy? No!)
Exuberant life between the vines: evidence of great, chemical-free farming
Old vines mean deep roots and less fruit; both of these spell added levels of minerality and flavor intensity (without palate weight). Cornin's 2020 Bourgogne Blanc exhibits all this in spades: think pear blossoms and almonds, lemon oil, wet white rocks, and the barest bit of hazelnut creme. This is white Burgundy at its classic best: saline, nervy, elegant and long.
Highly recommended: loading up on this classic... while its pricing remains wildly anachronistic! Because as perfect as this is now, it will also cellar beautifully for 3-5 years, easy — and in 2027? At current inflation rates? Let's just say that at that point you might have to sell your unicorn to get yourself a case!
2020 Cornin
Bourgogne Blanc
Normal Price: $33+.