Volnay is a relatively small commune, only 400 people live in the pretty village, but many are top vignerons producing excellent wines. They are typically delicate and elegant, a reflection of the lighter soil compared to that of neighbouring Pommard. Sites such as Les Caillerets and Les Champans produce more muscular wines whilst keeping the Volnay fragrance and elegance.
Tasting notes: "Marl soil here, so less affected by the heat. Rich and fat and with slight mocha notes. Medium full body. Good depth and grip. Long and complex at the end. This is very good. From 2009." Clive Coates MW
Tasting notes: "Slightly more structured. Slightly more black fruity. Lovely ripe, rich fruit on the nose. Cool and composed. More concentration. Very lovely long finish. Very good indeed. From 2009" Clive Coates MW
Tasting notes: "Good colour. Ripe, succulent, ample but quite soft red fruit on the nose. Medium to medium-full body. Fresh. Just a little tannin but elegant and intense. Long at the end. Very good. From 2008" Clive Coates MW
Tasting notes: "Mild reduction knocks the nose down somewhat but the flavors are everything one looks for in Champans with the iron-infused, rich, full and powerful yet elegant and refined flavor profile that culminates in a tautly muscled, minerally and silky yet firm finish that delivers stunning length." 92-94 Burghound 04/09
Tasting notes: Rated: 88-90 by Stephen Tanzer, Mar/Apr 09
Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
Medium red. Red cherry, minerals and tobacco on the nose. Juicy and sweet, with more life and mineral precision than the village offering. Finishes supple and suave but with good energy. Incidentally, d'Angerville will offer a separate Les Angles bottling in 2008, as the estate purchased another half-hectare of vines here after the '07 harvest.
Tasting notes: Fruit from Mitans, Pitures, and Clos des Angles make up d’Angerville’s 2008 Volnay 1er Cru, although the cuvee of this name for many years included fruit from young vines of the estate’s top sites. Tart plum and red raspberry, fresh ginger and saline meat stock mingle on a firm palate, with a chalky sense to the wine’s bright finish. Gripping and energetic, if spare, and thankfully generous enough in primary fruit juiciness to avoid being downright austere, this ought to be worth following for 7-10 years. 89 pts WA
Tasting notes: Harvested at 13.8% natural potential alcohol, the dark-colored 2003 Volnay Champans (red) offers aromas of red plums, mocha, and cherries. Medium-bodied and powerful, it sports a structured character packed with dark cherries, stones, and chocolate. Some slightly dry tannin in the finish will require d’Angerville and de Villette’s attention prior to bottling. Projected maturity: 2008-2015. 89-90 pts RP
Tasting notes: John Armit Tasting note
Rich liqueur fruits dominate the nose here. On the palate, this is far more masculine and sturdy but there is a sucrosity on the attack that allows a degree of accessibility. Everything else however points towards patience- the drive, the earthiness, the serious side of Volnay as opposed to the playful. All the while, the wine keeps moving but this will clearly be drinking really well after ten years in bottle and beyond. Drink from 2014.
