2005 Volnay, Clos des Ducs, 1er Cru, Domaine Marquis d'Angerville, Burgundy
Critics reviews
The magnificently pure and airy essence of notably ripe dark pinot fruit, cassis and menthol remains reserved and cool with its exceptionally rich, classy, sweet, vibrant, mineral-driven and large-scaled flavours shaped by powerful if buried tannins. While magnificently long, this stunning Ducster is completely shut down at present, and it would be a vinous crime to open one at this very early point in its development as the '05 is built for the very long haul; indeed, 20 years may be too soon.
In my view, the '05 Ducster is destined to take its place alongside the greatest vintages of the past, and while the words best ever are presumptuous in a wine with such a distinguished history, the mere fact that it has the potential to be among the very best ever is praise enough.
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
The dAngerville 2005 Volnay Clos des Ducs displays even more obvious structure than the Champans and concentration and complexity than the Taillepieds. Deep, rich meatiness, juicy fresh black fruits, bitter-sweet chocolate richness, ginger and cardamom, and chalky minerality are present. This displays enough inner-mouth perfume and fineness of flavour to hold one's interest and release one's saliva for an extended period.
Fine-grained and finely-integrated tannins are part of this wine's tenacious cling. It will surely be one of the best in a long and distinguished line and worth following for 15-20 years. This is one of those 2005s whose market price I have heard tell is bringing Pinot lovers to tears of despair, although the suggested retail pricing from the importer confirms the fact that neither they nor the domaine was greedy when it came to pricing this latest collection.
The impressively concentrated 2004 is a bit sweet-sour and faintly warm in the finish today, but unlike so many wines of that vintage, it is apt to have more to say for itself in another couple of years.
Drink now
David Schildknecht, Wine Advocate (June 2007)
About this WINE
Domaine Marquis d'Angerville
Domaine Marquis D’Angerville controls vineyards in some of the most enviable communes of Burgundy, including Clos des Ducs, Champans, Cailleret and L’Ormeau, all Premier Crus.
There is a rigorous and selective winemaking process, with true dedication being put in to create excellent red and white wines.
Volnay
The finest and most elegant red wines of the Côte de Beaune are grown in Volnay, a village which might be twinned with Chambolle- Musigny in the Côte de Nuits, for the high active chalk content in the soil and comparatively low clay content.
Whereas in earlier times Volnay was made in a particularly light, early drinking style, these days there are many producers making wines which age extremely well. The best vineyards run either side of the RN73 trunk road.- 98 hectares of village Volnay
- 115 hectares of Premier Cru vineyards (35 in all). The finest include Les Taillepieds, Clos des Chênes, Champans, Caillerets (including Clos des 60 Ouvrées) and Santenots in Meursault.
- Recommended producers: Lafarge, Lafon, de Montille
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is probably the most frustrating, and at times infuriating, wine grape in the world. However when it is successful, it can produce some of the most sublime wines known to man. This thin-skinned grape which grows in small, tight bunches performs well on well-drained, deepish limestone based subsoils as are found on Burgundy's Côte d'Or.
Pinot Noir is more susceptible than other varieties to over cropping - concentration and varietal character disappear rapidly if yields are excessive and yields as little as 25hl/ha are the norm for some climats of the Côte d`Or.
Because of the thinness of the skins, Pinot Noir wines are lighter in colour, body and tannins. However the best wines have grip, complexity and an intensity of fruit seldom found in wine from other grapes. Young Pinot Noir can smell almost sweet, redolent with freshly crushed raspberries, cherries and redcurrants. When mature, the best wines develop a sensuous, silky mouth feel with the fruit flavours deepening and gamey "sous-bois" nuances emerging.
The best examples are still found in Burgundy, although Pinot Noir`s key role in Champagne should not be forgotten. It is grown throughout the world with notable success in the Carneros and Russian River Valley districts of California, and the Martinborough and Central Otago regions of New Zealand.
Buying options
Add to wishlist
Description
The magnificently pure and airy essence of notably ripe dark pinot fruit, cassis and menthol remains reserved and cool with its exceptionally rich, classy, sweet, vibrant, mineral-driven and large-scaled flavours shaped by powerful if buried tannins. While magnificently long, this stunning Ducster is completely shut down at present, and it would be a vinous crime to open one at this very early point in its development as the '05 is built for the very long haul; indeed, 20 years may be too soon.
In my view, the '05 Ducster is destined to take its place alongside the greatest vintages of the past, and while the words best ever are presumptuous in a wine with such a distinguished history, the mere fact that it has the potential to be among the very best ever is praise enough.
Allen Meadows, Burghound.com
wine at a glance
Delivery and quality guarantee