2019 Edmond Cornu & Fils Ladoix Vieilles Vignes

Most Pinot Noir grown on the Corton hill sells for serious money. Bottles labeled Corton or Aloxe-Corton regularly push past $100—and often much higher—because that hillside is one of the Côte de Beaune’s most powerful and historically important sites for red Burgundy.

This wine comes from that same hill. It just doesn’t carry the Corton name.

Edmond Cornu & Fils’ 2019 Ladoix Vieilles Vignes is grown on the lower slopes of Corton, directly beneath vineyards that command triple-digit prices. The slope, exposure, and growing conditions are fundamentally the same. What’s different is the appellation printed on the label—and that difference (of literally only a few meters) is exactly why this bottle sits around $40 instead of $150+.

These are mature vines that naturally produce lower yields and more concentrated fruit. In a ripe, complete vintage like 2019, that translates into darker fruit, firmer tannins, and real mid-palate weight—attributes people expect when they pay Corton prices.

In the glass, the wine delivers what Corton buyers are paying for: depth, grip, and presence. Dark cherry and black raspberry lead, followed by savory notes and tannins that hold their shape through the finish. It stands up to food. It doesn’t flatten out after the first sip.

From a buying perspective, this is straightforward. You’re getting old-vine Pinot from the Corton hill, made in a classic style, from a strong vintage—without paying Corton prices.

If you like the idea of Corton but not the idea of spending $120 on a weeknight bottle, this is exactly where you should be looking.