2017 Volnay, Les Angles, 1er Cru, Domaine Louis Boillot & Fils, Burgundy
Critics reviews
Here too there is noticeable reduction that knocks down the underlying fruit today. Otherwise there is a finer mouthfeel if slightly less concentration to the delicious and beautifully vibrant flavors that exude a subtle minerality that suffuses the refreshing, lilting and elegant finish. This too is really quite lovely and I like the overall sense of harmony as it's at once very Volnay while being underpinned by firm but ripe tannins.
Allen Meadows, Burghound (Jan 2019)
The 2017 Volnay Les Angles 1er Cru was picked on August 28 since it always ripens early. It has slightly smudged dark plum and boysenberry scented bouquet that needs more definition. The medium-bodied palate offers light red berry fruit laced with marmalade and quince, though it pulls up a tad short on the finish.
Neal Martin, Vinous, vinous.com (Nov 2018)
Pale garnet. Lots of very charming, well-balanced, nuanced fruit from a producer that really deserves attention in his own right.
Jancis Robinson MW, jancisrobinson.com (Jan 2019)
About this WINE
Louis Boillot
Louis shares his cellar with his other half, Ghislaine Barthod , under their home in Chambolle, overlooking Les Feusselottes. He is part of the Boillot family from Volnay, which explains the quantity of his vineyard holdings in the Côte de Beaune.
Since striking out on his own in 2003, he has been able to maximise the potential of his many disparate small parcels – he makes 16 wines from less than seven hectares – many of which are notable for the exceptional age of their vines.
He expanded into Moulin-à-Vent in ’13 and subsequently into Fleurie, fulfilling a long-held ambition. His and Ghislaine’s son Clément is now officially in charge, while Louis focusses on his viticulture. As yet, there are no discernible changes.
In the winery
“Non-intervention” is the word here, and Louis prefers to let his old vines speak for themselves. Everything is destalked, and the wines are bottled without fining or filtration.
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.
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Description
2017 is a vintage of pure pleasure; everything is in harmony, giving wines of enjoyment and drinkability. The nose of this Volnay is vibrant and delicate, with a sweet Pinot fruit character of small red berries. On the palate, the fruit is medium weight with powdery chalk tannins and juicy acidity. This is a wine to enjoy for its charm and succulence. There is no reason why it won’t keep for another five to eight years, but the vibrancy of fruit makes this ideal to drink now. Drink now - 2030.
Adam Bruntlett, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd (Aug 2022)
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