Winemaker Notes
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesBarrel Sample: 91-94
The 2016 Volnay Clos Des Chenes 1Er Cru’s more translucent ruby color is followed by a solid perfume of ripe black cherry and raspberry fruits intermixed with plenty of spice, dried earth, Asian spices, and forest floor. It's juicy and medium-bodied, with a rounded, nicely textured profile, ripe tannins, and an already charming, balanced style that’s hard to resist. Drink it over the coming 10-15 years.
Ripe, bordering on cherry and violet candy flavors, with a firm spine of tannins for support. A dusty edge lines the finish. Best from 2022 through 2033.
The fiefdom of Foulot Mill, that was later to become Chateau de Meursault, was created in the 11th century, during the reign of Robert the 1st. From 12th to 16th centuries, the owners of the fiefdom changed several times due to the struggle between the Duchy of Burgundy and the King of France. Starting from the 17th century, the Blancheton, the Serre, the Boisseaux and nowadays the Halley families succeeded each other – all of them having the same ambition of developing the reputation of Chateau de Meursault and its wines.
On the hillsides between Pommard and Meursault, Volnay is one of two villages in the Côte de Beaune of Burgundy that is recognized for its extraordinary Pinot Noir. Pommard is the other; the rest of the villages are most known for some of the most exceptional Chardonnay in the world. While Volnay Pinot Noir tends to be light in color and more delicate than that of Pommard, they typically stand on par with each other in regards to quality and demand.
Volnay can’t claim any Grands Crus vineyards but more than half of it has achieved Premier Cru status. Volnay Premiers Crus vineyards stretch across the entire village from northeast to southwest, abutting and actually falling “into” Meursault. Where they merge is a vineyard called Les Santenots. Pinot Noir grows in this Meursault Premier Cru but since that village is most associated with stellar whites, the Pinot Noir from Les Santenots, takes the name Volnay Santenots. Immediately above it are Volnay’s other prized Premier Cru, Le Cailleret, Champans, Clos des Chênes and Le Cailleret.
Volnay Pinot Noir are earthy with red or blue fruit. Aromas such as smoke, herbs, forest, cocoa and spice are common and on the palate they are gorgeous and concentrated with finesse but won’t truly charm you without some age.
Thin-skinned, finicky and temperamental, Pinot Noir is also one of the most rewarding grapes to grow and remains a labor of love for some of the greatest vignerons in Burgundy. Fairly adaptable but highly reflective of the environment in which it is grown, Pinot Noir prefers a cool climate and requires low yields to achieve high quality. Outside of France, outstanding examples come from in Oregon, California and throughout specific locations in wine-producing world. Somm Secret—André Tchelistcheff, California’s most influential post-Prohibition winemaker decidedly stayed away from the grape, claiming “God made Cabernet. The Devil made Pinot Noir.”