Clos-Des-Chenes

This comes from one hectare of vines, split into three parcels ranging between 46 and 80 years old. There is a lovely, sweet kernel of red fruit here, along with pert, chalky tannins which are present but refined. It is typically a more structured Volnay, but the gentle Buffet style keeps things in check. Drink 2021-2026.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

This family-run domaine, which dates back to 1692, is currently managed by Marc Olivier, son of François, though still with help from his parents. The family had a very successful négociant business, under the name Ferdinand Buffet, until the 1930s when fortunes were lost in the great crash. Even so, there is an impressive range of Volnay (Taillepieds, Clos des Chênes, Champans, Carelles, Clos de la Rougeotte) and Pommard (Rugiens, Clos Micot, Poutures) vineyards. Marc-Olivier uses some whole bunches when he feels the vineyard is suitable, though not for young vines. The wines are matured in barrel over 22 months. Marc Olivier began harvesting on the 24th September, bringing the grapes in at natural sugar levels of between 12 and 13 degrees, but at an eye-wateringly low 10hl/ha. He explained that the vinification looked after itself, with colour and tannin coming easily, thus no need to extract. He thinks that the wines display the softness of 2015, but with a good acid structure and ripe tannins. The village Volnay was so badly hit by frost – one barrel in 2016 versus 19 in 2017 – that it does not appear in our offer. As ever, the wines here are an elegant and ethereal expression of Volnay.

Nobility exudes from every pore of this classical, graceful wine. Dynamic and full of energy, this has wonderfully vivid, lively fruit. The firm tannic structure reassuringly dominates the finish. This is a wine for the long term.

Nicolas Potel's range of wines is better than ever this year, and offers some superb, and extremely well priced, Premiers and Grands Crus. His Volnay Clos de Chenes is one of the best. It is a big Volnay, with relatively intense and powerful flavours, and a firm structure, but maintains the necessary silky purity and elegance.
(David Jones, Cellar Plan Account Manager)

With a gentle and gracious bouquet, this 2011 is showing the potential to join the list of great Lafarge Clos des Chênes. Discreet, but potentially spectacular, which it certainly is in the mouth, the wine is backed by a crisp freshness and is a benchmark for grace and persistence.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Director

The Lafarge’s picked from 31st August to 6th September in 2011 and the fruit is fully ripe and balanced in every sense. Very healthy grapes were harvested that hardly required any sorting and gentle extraction has produced some beautifully fine wines which Michel Lafarge compares in quality to his 1952s. If this is the case, our suggested drinking dates would appear to be rather on the conservative side!