2014 Volnay Les Chevret

Bright, dark red with ruby tones. Strong earth tones and dried flowers add interest to the aromas of black cherry, licorice and menthol. Chewy, sappy and quite dry, showing lovely earthy Volnay complexity if not the ripeness of the 2015 version. Still, with its lower pH and cool medicinal quality this wine displays very good energy. Finishes with serious, ripe tannins. I'd give this one at least a few years in the cellar.

(this vineyard was the worst hit by hail; just 5 barrels were made from 2 hectares, vs. a normal 30 to 35):Deep red-ruby. Very strong flavors of redcurrant, menthol and chocolate, plus a touch of earth. Quite primary in the mouth, conveying enticing sweetness and a layered depth to its flavors of tiny dark berries. This seamless, serious, long wine combines round tannins with strong natural acidity. This will be bottled mostly in magnums.

The 2014 Volnay 1er Cru Les Chevrets showed a little more fruit concentration, a bit more pizzazz on the nose compared to the Volnay Fremiets: cranberry and black plum, undergrowth note emerging with time. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red and black fruit. There is a little coarseness here at the moment, although it should be abraded by time. The finish is quite Pommard-like--austere but nicely defined.