2021 Volnay 1. Cru Marquis d'Angerville

A blend of Pitures and Mitans, half and half. A little more colour, a slight nuttiness to the nose, more than fruit. A little orange rind in this, mixed with the red fruit and a sterner finish.

The 2021 Volnay 1er Cru is a step up from the Village Cru with greater definition and complexity, brambly red fruit, briary flanked by subtle sous-bois scents and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with quite fine tannins, light but balanced, quite tensile with a judicious splash of white pepper and thyme towards the elegant finish. Not long term, but capable.

The usual blend of Pitures and Mitans, the 2021 Volnay 1er Cru is a touch firmer than its communal-level counterpart, exhibiting aromas of peonies, raspberries and exotic spices, followed by a medium-bodied, lively palate framed by powdery tannins.

(from a roughly 1/3 blend of Pitures and 2/3 Mitans). A slightly more deeply pitched nose freely offers up an array of plum, dark cherry, floral and an interesting hint of sandalwood. Once again there is a sublime texture to the highly energetic and beautifully detailed flavors that possess slightly better mid-palate volume, all wrapped in balanced, long and dusty finale. This lightly austere effort is a wine of finesse; indeed it is almost delicate though it doesn’t lack punch.

Very refined nose, displaying a more delicate and pure style of Pinot. Crisp and ethereal on the palate. Long flavour and surprising concentration. Dark berry and redcurrant notes.