2018 Volnay Clos des Chenes
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Tasting notes
The 2018 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru is superior on the nose in this flight, exhibiting polished but delineated black and red fruit, assiduously integrated oak and a sense of terroir expression. The palate is medium-bodied with a spicy opening, erring slightly towards the floral personality of Syrah. Indeed, it has quite a muscular, dense finish that detracts from its potential finesse. Not bad at all - time will temper it. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting.
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Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Showing brilliantly, the 2018 Volnay 1er Cur Clos Des Chênes is one classy Volnay that's going to reward bottle age. Revealing a translucent ruby/purple hue, it starts out closed and backward, but with air, it reveals a darker core of berry and red plum fruits, peony, orange blossom, and Asian spices, with some classic earthy bouquet garni and sappy flower nuances emerging with time in the glass. It's certainly complex aromatically, and while it shows the ripe style of the vintage, there's a cool, crisp style in its aromas and flavors. Medium-bodied on the palate, with bright yet integrated acidity, plenty of structure, and rock-solid concentration, it's going to need a solid 5-7 years of bottle age to hit the early stages of maturity and should have 20 years or more of overall longevity.
The 2018 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru has a lilting bouquet of red cherry, cranberry and raspberry aromas with chalky notes tucked in just underneath. The palate is the most structured of Lafarge’s 2018s, displaying fine grip but comparable elegance that defines the finish. There is real succulence here, and wonderful persistence, plus a little bitterness that keeps you coming back for another sip. Outstanding.