2013 Volnay Carelles

Thin, earthy nose. Good focus and energy on the palate, and better balanced than the village wines, but still a hole in the middle. (AH)

The 2013 Volnay 1er Cru les Carelles adjacent to les Champans comes from a parcel of 16-year-old vines that Thomas feels are beginning to get a good balance in the fruit (he described it as his "baby"). This has one of the most complex bouquets from Bouley this year with redcurrant, raspberry and fresh strawberry fruit intermingling with chalk and sous-bois scents. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe tannins, very fine delineation and salinity, structured but not linear like the Caillerets, more "flowing" and fanning out toward the slightly chalky finish. This comes highly recommended. Dec 2014, www.robertparker.com