The Estate

A 10 hectares estate around the village of Chaintré in Mâconnais, Dominique Cornin fits perfectly the profile of producers we look for. The Domaine has been certified organic and practicing biodynamic since 2003. There are very old vines in many of the plots, with some going as far back as 1909.

Established in 1993, Romain Cornin joined the family estate in 2011 after having stints in the US and New Zealand. He has now taken over from Dominique, and runs the operation together with his wife Adeline. They farm plots with a mix of clay, limestone, and schist soil, and there is a commitment to produce the highest quality and healthiest grape in a rich and living soil. Viticulture and vinification are both with minimal intervention, allowing the wines to express the vineyard’s terroir.

Viticulture and Vinification

No herbicides are used since 1998, and following biodynamic principles, only a small quantity of sulphur and copper, as well as endemic plant infusions such as nettles, horsetail, and yarrow are used to treat the vineyards. Space between rows is left grassed, and biodiversity is encouraged.

All grapes are handpicked, and softly pressed by pneumatic press. The must naturally settles from cooling in thermos regulated vats. Fermentation occurs naturally with natural yeasts, and gravity flow is used in the wine-making process. Fermentation is done in stainless steel, or oak barrels and demi-muids for the single vineyard Pouilly-Fuissé wines. The wines are typically not fined, but lightly filtered prior to bottling with only a small dose of sulphur added.

Wines Produced

BEAUJOLAIS BLANC LES SALONNIERES

Planted between 1990 and 1993. Mature in vats for 10 months over fine lees.

Mâcon-chaintré

From five parcels planted between 1968 and 1985 on clay-limestone soil. 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees with no fining and light filtration.

Mâcon-chaintré Les serreuxdiéres

East facing and planted in 1936, 1985, and 1996 on clay. 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees with no fining and light filtration.

Mâcon-Fuissé Les Bruyères

From the north part of Fuissé on blue schist soil and planted between 2011 and 2015. 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees with no fining and light filtration.

Saint-Véran

A 0.5 hectare parcel with 50% planted in 1936 and 50% planted in 1992. 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees with no fining and light filtration.

Pouilly-Fuissé

From four plots planted between 1909 and 1965 in Chaintré and Fuissé. 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees with no fining and light filtration.

Pouilly-Fuissé Clos Reyssié

On a gentle slope with rich and deep clay residue. The surrounding area was first planted with vines by the Romans in the 3rd century, and this vineyard was planted in 1937. Fermented and matured in French oak barrels for 12 months, and then additionally aged for 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees, with no fining and light filtration prior to bottling.

Pouilly-Fuissé Les Plessys

On clay-limestone soil and planted between 1920 and 1998. Fermented and matured in a mix of French oak demi-muids and barrels for 12 months, and then additionally aged for 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees, with no fining and filtration only if necessary prior to bottling.

Pouilly-Fuissé Les Chevrières 1er cRU

“Les Chevrières” vines are located at the top of the hill in the village of Chaintré, clinging to thin clay soil, rooted in hard limestone stratums. Planted by Romain’s father in 1963. Fermented and matured in French oak demi-muids for 12 months, and then additionally aged for 12 months in stainless steel over fine lees, with no fining and filtration only if necessary prior to bottling.

Critical Praise

“This fine 10-hectare domaine located in and around Chaintré produces excellent wines from seriously farmed vineyards. The Cornins practice biodynamic methods in a sector where such conscientiousness is far from the norm, harvesting by hand and vinifying in stainless steel, followed by élevage in used barrels and demi-muids for the lieu-dit bottlings. Many of the domaine's vines are very old—fully a century old in the case of Les Serreudières. The result is fleshy but succulent wines that deliver immense pleasure on release but which are balanced to mature gracefully in the cellar.”

William Kelley, robertparker.com

“Having visited this estate for several years, there is a reassuring consistency from vintage to vintage. Like his father, Cornin is a clever, thoughtful vigneron whose wines, for want of a better word, contain that elusive virtue of…soul.”

Neal Martin, vinous.com

GENERAL INFORMATION

Country:  France

Region:  Burgundy

Appellation:  Mâconnais

Founded:  1993

Annual Production: 6,000 cases

Farming: Certified organic, practicing biodynamic