decanter

94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes 2021
93/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2021
93/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021
92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2021
92/100 Aloxe Corton 2021
92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelles 2021
92/100 Pommard 2021
92/100 Volnay 2021
91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2021
91/100 Monthelie 1er Cru Les Clous Red 2021
91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2021
91/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021

SEE REVIEWS
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91-93/100 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru 2021
91-93/100 Volnay Santenots 1er Cru 2021
90-93/100 Volnay Ronceret 1er Cru 2021
90-92/100 Volnay Robardelle 1er Cru 2021
89-91/100 Chassagne-Montrachet Abbaye de Morgeot 1er Cru 2021
89-91/100 Volnay Les Grands Champs 1er Cru 2021
89-91/100 Pommard 2021
89-91/100 Aloxe- Corton 2021
89-91/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021
88-90/100 Volnay Champans 1er Cru 2021
88-90/100 Volnay 2021
86-88/100 Bourgogne Côte d’Or2021
86-87/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021
86-87/100 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain 2021
85-88/100 Monthelie Les Clous 1er Cru 2021

SEE REVIEWS
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92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2021
92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes 2021
91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2021
91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2021
90/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2021
89/100 Volnay 2021
89/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021
89/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelles 2021
88/100 Aloxe Corton 2021
88/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021
88/100 Pommard 2021
87/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2021
86/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Red 2021

SEE REVIEWS
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92-94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Les Grands Champs 2021
92-94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2021
91-93/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelle 2021
91-93/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2021
91-93/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes 2021
90-92/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021
90-92/100 Monthelie 1er Cru Les Clous 2021
90-92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2021
89-91/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021
88-90/100 Volnay 2021
86-88/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2021
86-88/100 Pommard 2021
85-87/100 Aloxe Corton 2021
84-86/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Red 2021

SEE REVIEWS
Bourgogne Auj (1)

17/20 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots Red 2021
16.5/20 Volnay 1er Cru Clos de Chênes Red 2021
16.5/20 Volnay 1er Cru Champans Red 2021
16/20 Volnay 1er cru Robardelle Red 2021
15.5/20 Pommard Red 2021
15/20 Volnay Les Pluchots Red 2021
14.5/20 Volnay Red Red 2021
14/20 Volnay 1er Cru Le Ronceret Red 2021

Bourgogne Auj (1)

LIRE L'ARTICLE DE PRESSE
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92/100 Volnay ler Cru “Champans” 2020
92/100 Volnay ler Cru “Clos des Chenes” red 2020
91/100 Volnay ler Cru “Les Grands Champs” 2020
91/100 Volnay 1er Cru “Robardelle” 2020
90/100 Volnay ler Cru “Santenots” red 2020
90/100 Monthelie 1er Cru “Les Clous” red 2020
89/100 Volnay “Les Pluchots” red 2020
88/100 Aloxe-Corton red 2020
88/100 Monthelie “Aux Fournereaux” red 2020
88/100 Pommard 2020
87/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or red 2020
87/100 Volnay 2020
86/100 Bourgogne- Passe-tout-grains red 2020

SEE REVIEWS
pr3

92-95/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos de Chênes 2020
92-94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelle 2020
92-94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2020
91-94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2020
91-93/100 Volnay 2020
91-93/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2020
90-93/100 Volnay 1er Cru Grands Champs 2020
90-93/100 Pommard 2020
89-91/100 Monthelie 1er Cru Les Clous 2020
87-89/100 Aloxe-Corton 2020
87-89/100 Meursault 2020
87-88/100 Bourgogne Côte d’Or 2020
86-89/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2020
86-89/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2020
86-88/100 Bourgogne Aligoté 2020
86-87/100 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain 2020

SEE REVIEWS
decanter

94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes 2021

93/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2021

93/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021

92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2021

92/100 Aloxe Corton 2021

92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelles 2021

92/100 Pommard 2021

92/100 Volnay 2021

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2021

91/100 Monthelie 1er Cru Les Clous Red 2021

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2021

91/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021

 

94/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes 2021

Impressive wine, showing dense plummy fruit with notes of earth, spice and mineral

on the initial attack. There is a robust, structured feel on the palate with plenty of

tannin and extract, yet everything is in superb balance here, and the wine lingers

elegantly on the admirable finish. Bouley assembles two parcels totaling 0.37ha.

The grapes are destemmed and given a week’s cold soak before a gentle

fermentation with minimal extraction and ageing in cask (two new barrels out of

seven). 

 

93/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2021

Bouley farms a quarter-hectare of mature vines in a prime mid-slope location of

lieu-dit Champans, providing one of the most impressive wines in the cellar.

The dark blackberry fruit aromas with an earthy, smoky complexity lead into a rich,

dense texture that lingers invitingly on the palate. This wine has the charm of the

rest of the cellar but a new level of power. Fortunately for wine lovers, the yield here

was almost average in 2021. The Champans should age for a decade or more.

 

93/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021

This distinctive village-level parcel is now bottled on its own to showcase its unique

character. Bouley farms a half-hectare in the northern part of the appellation.

The 70-year-old vines are planted on a limestone outcropping; Bouley feels the wine

resembles the Clos des Chênes. The 2021 vintage has a dark mulberry fruit

character with spice and earth notes, and impressive density and concentration on

the palate, leading to a satisfyingly long finish. 

 

92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2021

The 2021 Grands Champs boasts lovely ripe mulberry fruit with a suggestion of

liquorice and pepper on the initial attack. The texture is velvety and rich but

balanced by the abundant acidity of 2021. As with Robardelle, the Grands Champs

vines are planted perpendicular to the slope. Only a tiny portion of this

lieu-dit is classed in premier cru, all of it owned by the Bouley family, whose vines

here are seventy years of age. 

 

92/100 Aloxe Corton 2021

This light, fresh wine has less colour and concentration than much of the range from

Pierrick Bouley, yet it has a charm of its own, with bright, high-toned redcurrant and

pomegranate fruit and hints of  peony and peppery spice. The acidity is fresh, yet

there is enough concentration here to stretch the wine to an impressive finish

despite its lighter texture. 

 

92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelles 2021

The wine is concentrated, with aromas of ripe black plums, liquorice, and earth.

The texture is supple and rich but balanced by the vibrant freshness of the year.

The old vines planted on the 0.40-hectare parcel next to Santenots Dessous have

produced 15 hl/ha in 2021 – nearly an average year for these old vines. This wine

will drink well young but also has the substance for ageing. 

 

92/100 Pommard 2021

The village-level Pommard from Pierrick Bouley has a medium-deep ruby hue and

pretty, forward blackberry fruit coloured with floral notes. The texture is more

tannic and firmer than his Volnays, yet still supple and approachable. The grapes are

blended from two parcels; one in the lieu-dit Les Chanlins and a small parcel on the

flat, all on the Volnay side. The vines are very old, and Bouley has been replanting, so

there are currently just 0.25 hectares in production. 

 

92/100 Volnay 2021

The village Volnay is the largest production in the cellar Bouley manages for his

family, representing two hectares spread over thirteen parcels. The blend produced

a wine of surprisingly dark colour in 2021, with a sweet blackberry fruit touched

with floral notes. The texture is lively and delicate, with bright acidity but no

tartness and enough substance to round out the wine nicely. This wine

overperforms at the village level; it can be drunk young or aged for up to a decade. 

 

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2021

The 2021 Ronceret is fresh and vibrant, with a high-toned red berry fruit aroma.

Light body, crisp acidity, and firm tannins create an impression of finesse rather than

power, but there is enough substance to bring the wine to a pleasantly lingering

finish. Bouley farms 0.13 hectares in Ronceret, in a parcel that runs the length of the

vineyard just under Champans. The grapes are partly destemmed and gently

fermented before ageing, mostly in used barrels. 

 

91/100 Monthelie 1er Cru Les Clous Red 2021

There are bright blackberry fruit aromas with rose petal and mineral notes.

The texture is racy and bright – the body is fairly light, yet there is still a rewarding

persistence on the palate. The grapes come from the portion of Les Clous that was

reclassified as premier cru in 2006. The grapes are destemmed and given a cold

soak before fermentation and ageing in primarily old wood. This wine is typical of

2021 in its light body and fresh character, but there is enough stuffing here to

warrant interest. 

 

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2021

I found the 2021 Volnay Santenots from Pierrick Bouley disappointingly angular and

lacking in depth despite the deep colour and firm structure. The domaine farms

0.09 hectares in Santenots Blancs at the base of the slope; in 2021, this only made a

single cask (used). The grapes were partially destemmed and fermented with

minimal punching down before ageing. Give this wine a few years to open and

consume in the first five years. 

 

91/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021

The village-level Monthélie from Pierrick Bouley comes from 0.45 hectares in Aux

Fornerots in a parcel down the slope from premier cru Les Clous. The vines

produced a fairly deeply-coloured wine in 2021, with a perfumed plum and violet

fruit character, fresh acidity, supple tannins, and light body. This wine will not make

old bones, but it is very pleasant for current drinking. Three casks were produced,

all ageing now in older oak barrels. 

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91-93/100 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru 2021

91-93/100 Volnay Santenots 1er Cru 2021

90-93/100 Volnay Ronceret 1er Cru 2021

90-92/100 Volnay Robardelle 1er Cru 2021

89-91/100 Chassagne-Montrachet Abbaye de Morgeot 1er Cru 2021

89-91/100 Volnay Les Grands Champs 1er Cru 2021

89-91/100 Pommard 2021

89-91/100 Aloxe- Corton 2021

89-91/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021

88-90/100 Volnay Champans 1er Cru 2021

88-90/100 Volnay 2021

86-88/100 Bourgogne Côte d’Or2021

86-87/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021

86-87/100 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain 2021

85-88/100 Monthelie Les Clous 1er Cru 2021

 

91-93/100 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru 2021

Bright red purple. The brisk red fruit helps to show the class of the vineyard. There is

more drive and energy on the palate, good acidity behind. Raspberry notes with

precision, perhaps the best balanced across the whole palate. Drink from 2027-

2033. Tasted: November 2022.

 

91-93/100 Volnay Santenots 1er Cru 2021

A beautiful crimson purple. The nose shows a high class deep and even silky red

fruit, with perfectly integrated oak. Direct, precise and energy-driven ripe raspberry

fruit, building to the back of the palate to finish with length and energy. One barrel

only. Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted: November 2022.

 

90-93/100 Volnay Ronceret 1er Cru 2021

Fine mid purple. The nose is very classy, some violets in with discreet but precise

little red fruits. Greater density at mid palate than Robardelles, a useful touch of

acidity alongside the blend of raspberry and strawberry fruit. Very good length.

Drink from 2027-2032. Tasted: November 2022.

 

90-92/100 Volnay Robardelle 1er Cru 2021

Bright mid purple, not limited to the Volnay sensuality but there is a bit of depth to

this. Builds rather juicily on the palate, especially in raspberry mode, yet with some

depth behind. Might need freshening up a touch, but basically very good. Drink from

2027-2032. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

89-91/100 Chassagne-Montrachet Abbaye de Morgeot 1er Cru 2021

Clear pale lemon yellow. Not so much nose, but an attractive purity of fruit. Not a big

Morgeot, but showing clear cut fruit with medium length, a little oak, and a lightly

saline finish. Drink from 2025-2029. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

89-91/100 Volnay Les Grands Champs 1er Cru 2021

Brisk clean purple. A whiff of oak, quite good depth of fruit on the nose, a hint of

volatility, at the moment harder to assess than the previous two wines. Slightly

nervous finish. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

89-91/100 Pommard 2021

Attractive crimson in colour. Plenty of fruit on the nose, in a slightly sterner idiom.

True to its terroir, medium-bodied, fills the mouth adequately and has good length

while Pierrick has the skill to deliver refined tannins. Plenty of promise. Drink from

2026-2030. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

89-91/100 Aloxe- Corton 2021

A paler colour than some in this cellar, but very pretty in bouquet, unusually fine for

village Aloxe. Less body than the Volnay, until a little extra kick of dark fruit at the

back of the palate, successfully surrounding the tannins. Drink from 2025-2030.

Tasted: November 2022. 

 

89-91/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021

A fine fresh crimson purple. Clearly an elegant Volnay with a little more depth of

fruit, an excellent following acidity, just a little spice and pepper behind the

abundant red fruit. Attractively persistent, a wine with promise. Drink from

2025-2030. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

88-90/100 Volnay Champans 1er Cru 2021

Bright crimson purple. The bouquet is rather more backward here. Softly oaked,

needing a bit of freshening up perhaps, while the fruit ids loaded slightly more to the

front of the mouth than lthe finish. Drink from 2026-2030. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

88-90/100 Volnay 2021

A blend of the various Volnay plots, excepting Les Pluchots. A fine medium deep

purple. An excellent volume of fruit on the palate, lively cherry and raspberry,

showing what the vintage can be without frost. Fills the palate without any excesses

and continues to a fine long finish. Drink from 2005-2029. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

86-88/100 Bourgogne Côte d’Or2021

Ruby in colour with a pink edge. A pretty, pure but light bouquet. Cherry and

raspberry fruit fills the mouth, yet with elegance. A good long persistent finish.

Nothing it should not try to be., but fills its responsibilities nicely. Drink from

2024-2027. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

86-87/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021

A bright vivid purple. Just something a little acetate on the nose. Dense enough in

fruit. Dark, a bit nutty. Not sure the sample is quite fresh. A second sample is

fresher, but still a little affected, so perhaps Pierrick needs to review the sulphur.

Ratedaccording to today’s tasting.. Tasted: November 2022. 

 

86-87/100 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain 2021

A lively pink purple colour. The Passetoutgrains offers a prettily peppery nose,

plenty of vivid raspberry fruit with some roses, fair acidity, decent length. A bit on

the side, but that comes with the territory. Drink from 2024-2026.

Tasted: November 2022. 

 

85-88/100 Monthelie Les Clous 1er Cru 2021

Two new barrels in six. Mid purple. The nose is dense and a little bit nutty, but

fresher than the village. The oak seems a bit out of kilter, and the finish a bit harsh.

Solid and should come round but lacks elegance. It doesn’t seem to be Monthelie’s

day today.. Tasted: November 2022. 

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92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2021

92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes 2021

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2021

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2021

90/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2021

89/100 Volnay 2021

89/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021

89/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelles 2021

88/100 Aloxe Corton 2021

88/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021

88/100 Pommard 2021

87/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2021

86/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Red 2021

 

92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Champans 2021

This too is wonderfully perfumed with its cool and ultra-pure aromas of plum,

various dark berries and a lovely array of spice elements. There is a bit better

density though somewhat surprisingly, not quite the same refinement to the solidly

powerful and markedly stony flavors that deliver slightlybetter depth and

persistence on the youthfully austere finale.

 

92/100 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes 2021

This is one of the few wines in the range to display much wood influence and while

subtle, it’s still enough to warrant pointing out on the ripe and fresh aromas of plum,

black cherry, earth and crushed fennel. The silky and vibrant middleweight flavors

aren’t especially dense, but the mouthfeel is sophisticated thanks to the fine-grained

tannins shaping the moderately austere and ageworthy finale.

I woulddescribe this as a Clos des Chênes that is built less on classic incarnations of

power and muscle and more along the lines of harmony and balance.

 

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2021

A highly perfumed nose speaks mostly of red currant, dark pinot fruit and a touch of

newly turned earth along with a floral top note. There is better volume and very

good punch to the detailed and lightly mineral-driven flavors that deliver fine length

on the equally austere finale. I find that ten years of cellaring is typically about right

for Les Grands Champs and 2021 should be no exception.

 

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru Santenots 2021

Here too the expressive nose is quite pretty with its aromas of pure red pinot fruit,

plum and spiced tea. There is good refinement to the beautifully delineated

medium-bodied flavors that possess only average density and power,but I like both

the depth and persistence on the bitter pit fruit-inflected and slightly more

structured finale.

 

90/100 Volnay 1er Cru Ronceret 2021

Very pretty aromas of plum, red and dark currant and a hint of anise are

complemented by the very fine if not especially dense flavors that still manage to

offer good richness as well as a subtle minerality on the firm, serious and moderately

austere finale. This is sufficiently compact to need at least some patience.

 

89/100 Volnay 2021

A much more elegant nose is comprised by notes of perfumed red berries and plenty

of spice and floralwisps. The sleek and delicious medium weight flavors are

especially dense though they are notably finer while exuding a subtle minerality

on the balanced and inviting finale. This lacy and very Volnay effort could use better

depth, but more should develop if giving a chance. Worth considering.

 

89/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2021

This is aromatically similar to the straight Volnay villages if just a bit more complex.

On the palate there is a bit more volume and density with a silky texture that carries

over to the firm, balanced and youthfully austere finale. Pluchots is understandably

appreciated for producing refined yet ageworthy wines and this version should

prove to be no exception.

 

89/100 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelles 2021

An airy and exuberantly spicy nose reflects mostly dark berry aromas along with a

hint of herbal tea. The super-sleek, delicious and intense middleweight flavors are

shaped by even finer-grained tannins while displaying good if not special persistence

on the clean, bright and sneaky long finish where a touch of asperity also appears.

Like the Pommard, this too needs at least a few years first but should also have no

trouble repaying up to a decade of keeping.

 

88/100 Aloxe Corton 2021

A discreet but still perceptible application of wood sets off the much earthier and

less elegant dark berry fruit aromas. There is good if not special volume and punch

to the relatively powerful flavors that display good length on the mildly rustic if

persistent finish. This is very Aloxe in character without being excessively robust.

 

88/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2021

Very pretty if somewhat more reserved aromas include those of violet, plum, earth

and a hint of crushed fennel. The delicious and nicely vibrant barely middleweight

flavors possess an appealing texture before culminating in a bitter pit fruit, dusty

and sneaky long finish where a touch of asperity slowly emerges. This could use a

few years to round off the backend.

 

88/100 Pommard 2021

Pretty and airy aromas of plum, violet and more subtle earth influences introduce

acceptably concentrated flavors that possess a really lovely mouthfeel thanks to the

relatively fine-grained tannins that shape the lingering, duty and mildly austere

finale where a touch of asperity slowly emerges. This needs at least a few years of

forbearance and should repay up to a decade of keeping.

 

87/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2021

A more elegant and slightly fresher very pinot nose gives way to notably finer

flavors that possess the same fine detail that carries over to the utterly delicious,

inviting and slightly austere finale. This is really lovely as one just feels like drinking

it. Worth a look.

 

86/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Red 2021

An earthy and peppery dark berry fruit nose precedes nicely vibrant and

well-detailed middleweight flavors that offer good depth on the mildly rustic and

youthfully austere finale. While this dusty effort could easily be enjoyed

immediately, one or two years of keeping would be beneficial.

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94/100 Volnay ler Cru Santenots 2019

93/100 Volnay ler Cru Champans 2019

93/100 Volnay ler Cru Clos des Chenes 2019

92/100 Volnay ler Cru Les Grands Champs 2019

92/100 Volnay ler Cru Robardelle 2019

91/100 Volnay ler Cru Ronceret 2019

91/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2019

91/100 Monthelie ler Cru Les Clous 2019

90/100 Volnay 2019

89/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2019

88/100 Pommard 2019

88/100 Aloxe Corton 2019

88/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2019

88/100 Bourgogne Alligote 2019

87/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Red 2019

86/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Sans souffre Red 2019

 

94/100 Volnay ler Cru Santenots 2019

The 2019 Volnay Santenots ler Cru comes from a tiny 0.09-hectare parcel in Les

Santenots Blanc lieu-dit that yields just a single barrel. It was planted by Pierrick’s

grandfather. The nose is very fragrant and quite floral, very fresh and delineated,

hints of white pepper suffusing the red fruit. It has a well-defined and supremely

well-structured palate that delivers layers of bright red/black fruit. Wonderful

mineralite here with great length. Shame there is only a barrel.

 

93/100 Volnay ler Cru Champans 2019

The 2019 Volnay Champans ler Cru comes from a young parcel planted 33 years

ago. It has a very well defined bouquet with predominantly red berry fruit, laced

with briary and crushed stone, later a touch of rose petal. The palate is medium-

bodied with fine tannins, the same structure as the Santenots, perhaps with a little

more spiciness and edge. Again, superb length and precision here. Excellent.

 

93/100 Volnay ler Cru Clos des Chenes 2019

From the 32-year-old vines, the 2019 Volnay Clos des Chenes ler Cru has the most

backward and recalcitrant nose of Bouley’s Volnays, though well defined and

focused. The palate is grippy on the entry with superb precision. It reminds me of

Lafarge albeit with darker fruit towards the finish. Excellent.

 

92/100 Volnay ler Cru Les Grands Champs 2019

The 2019 Volnay Les Grands Champs ler Cru comes from the Domaine’s

0.24-hectare monopole, as they own (or technically an intra-familial fermage) the

entirety of the Premier Cru part as well as another parcel in the Village Cru sector

that is blended into the Volnay Village. It has a very clean and precise bouquet with

black cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, fine mineralite peeking through with

aeration. Great delineation. The palate is succulent on the entry with sorbet-fresh

dark cherry fruit laced with fig and marmalade. Perhaps the most exotic of Bouley’s

2019s yet perfectly controlled and fresh as a daisy, this is an excellent Volnay.

 

92/100 Volnay ler Cru Robardelle 2019

The 2019 Volnay Robardelle ler Cru comes from a 0.40-hectare parcel of 60 and

BO-year-old vines that always yield around 20hl/ha (three and a half barrels this

year.) The bouquet is very well defined with gorgeous wild strawberry, cassis and

violet aromas, almost Vosne-like in style. The palate is medium-bodied with

succulent tannins, sweet and generous with blackcurrant pastilles and a touch

of cassis again towards the sorbet-like finish. Very seductive.

 

91/100 Volnay ler Cru Ronceret 2019

The 2019 Volnay Ronceret ler Cru comes from a tiny 0.13-hectare parcel of old,

east-west orientated vines. It has a more floral bouquet than the Robardelle, with

rose petal and iris scents percolating through the red and blueberry fruit. The palate

is medium-bodied with  supple tannins, gentle and silky smooth, quite intense on the

finish, though I find that the Robardelle has just a touch more precision. Still, this is

very fine.

 

91/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2019

The 2019 Volnay Les Pluchots comes from 0.5-hectare of 70-year-old vines just

under the Premier Crus. Cropped at 25hl/ha, it has a broodier bouquet compared to

the Volnay Village, the fruit is darker still with a discrete marine influence emerging

with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine boned tannins, almost citrus fruit

with veins of blood orange towards the persistent finish. Very fine.

 

91/100 Monthelie ler Cru Les Claus 2019

The 2019 Monthelie Les Claus ler Cru has become a Premier Cru since around

2007. It has a welldefined bouquet with red cherries, strawberry and touches of wet

limestone. The palate is mediumbodied with gentle grip on the entry. Vivid red

cherries intermingle with raspberry and orange pith, with a very cohesive finish that

shows good persistence. Very fine.

 

90/100 Volnay 2019

From eight different parcels, the 2019 Volnay Village has a well defined bouquet

with dark berry fruit, sous-bois and light rose petal aromas. The palate is medium-

bodied with fine but firm tannins. It has good backbone and is nicely focused with

abundant freshness and vitality towards the finish. A great Volnay.

 

89/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2019

The 2019 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux has a slightly earthy bouquet that

complements the cranberry and wild strawberry fruit. Pretty – but it needs more

intensity. The palate offers tart red cherry fruit on the entry, smooth in texture with

some of the wood tannins present towards the finish. But there is also a pleasing

brightness to this Monthelie and it should drink well after a year in bottle.

 

88/100 Pommard 2019

The 2019 Pommard Village comes from four different parcels, one on the plateau

and three at the top of the incline in Les Chanlins. It is tightly wound on the nose,

wild hedgerow mixed with blackberry and raspberry, a touch of damp autumn

leaves. The palate is medium-bodied with a crisp, fresh and quite elegant entry.

Gentle and almost “airy” in quality, I suspect this will be a relatively early drinking

but quite delicious Pommard.

 

88/100 Aloxe Corton 2019

The 2019 Aloxe-Corton Village offers touches of dried autumn leaves, tea leaves

and wild mushroom on the nose, quite backward at the moment. The palate is

medium-bodied with a succulent, fleshy entry, smooth in texture with a gentle grip

towards the cassis-tinged finish. Fine.

 

88/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2019

The 2019 Bourgogne Cote d’Or comes from four parcels all in the Volnay

appellation. This has a well defined and very pure bouquet with small red cherries

and crushed strawberry fruit, light rose petal aromas filtering through. The palate is

medium-bodied with supple tannins, quite candied in quality with orange zest and

strawberry pastilles. Just a delicious, easy-drinking wine that will be difficult to

resist in its youth.

 

88/100 Bourgogne Alligote 2019

The 2019 Bourgogne Aliqcte, grown close to the Passetoutgrain, has a lovely orange

blossom, rosewater and pear scented bouquet that expresses the grape variety well.

The palate is well balanced with a slightly waxy texture, full of tropical fruit (passion

fruit and guava) with a creamy textured finish. Delicious.

 

87/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Red 2019

The 2019 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain “Classique” which does see some S02, has

slightly darker fruit on the nose compared to the “Nature”. The palate is medium-

bodied with crunchy red fruit, cranberry and strawberry, with a fine lively finish.

Recommended.

 

86/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Sans souffre Red 2019

The 2019 Bourgogne Passetoutgrain “Nature” is bottled without S02. It has a pretty

Morello cherry scented bouquet that is nicely defined and does not come across as a

natural wine. The palate is sweet on the entry with tart red fruit, almost pastille-like

in quality. Drink over the next couple of years.

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92/100 Volnay ler Cru “Champans” 2020

92/100 Volnay ler Cru “Clos des Chenes” red 2020

91/100 Volnay ler Cru “Les Grands Champs” 2020

91/100 Volnay 1er Cru “Robardelle” 2020

90/100 Volnay ler Cru “Santenots” red 2020

90/100 Monthelie 1er Cru “Les Clous” red 2020

89/100 Volnay “Les Pluchots” red 2020

88/100 Aloxe-Corton red 2020

88/100 Monthelie “Aux Fournereaux” red 2020

88/100 Pommard 2020

87/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or red 2020

87/100 Volnay 2020

86/100 Bourgogne- Passe-tout-grains red 2020

 

Fans of Domaine Pascal Bouley should be aware that the name has changed in favor

of his son, Pierrick, who has been de facto in charge for several years now.

With respect to the 2020 growing season, Pierrick noted that “it was again hot and

really dry though the vines seem to be adapting reasonably well as there wasn’t

too much hydric stress. We began picking very early, which is to say on the 17th

of August and continued through to the 25th. Happily, we brought in clean and ripe

fruit with both good sugars and acidities. The fruit required very little sorting so we

didn’t really have any losses, yet the yields were relatively low at between

27 to 30 hl/ha. What is interesting, is that the bunches had a normal number of

berries on them but there was just no juice. To provide some perspective, it usually

takes about 330 kg of fruit to produce one standard Burgundian barrel of 228 liters.

In 2020, it took between 380 and 400 kg! Potential alcohols were strong at between

13 and 13.8% and that’s enough that a few of the cuvées had trouble finishing their

primary fermentations. Initially, I didn’t really know what to think of the

wines as the colors were so dark and they seemed backward and inexpressive but

once the malos finished, they began to take shape and seemingly improved month by

month. I really quite like them now for their energy and while I wouldn’t describe

them as typical or classic, they actually express their terroirs quite well.

“Bouley noted that he bottled his 2020s in December 2021. As the ratings suggest,

I was again favorably impressed with the quality I found here in 2020 as they are a

strong follow up to the excellent 2019s.

 

2020 Volnay ”Champans”

This is also brooding but fresh with a layered nose of fresh red and dark pinot fruit

cut with pretty spice and floral whiffs. There is both good vibrancy and delineation

to the attractively textured mineral-suffused flavors that culminate in a linear,

youthfully austere and chalky finish. At least some patience will be necessary as this

is quite tightly wound.

92/2032+

 

2020 Volnay “Clos des Chénes”

This is actually quite aromatically similar to the Champans if just a touch cooler.

There is outstanding intensity to the muscular and powerful middle weight flavors

that exude evident minerality on the markedly compact, youthfully austere and

chiseled finish. I would add that this is relatively refined for Clos des Chénes and a

wine that should amply reward extended keeping.

92/2032+

 

2020 Volnay “Les Grands Champs”

(a monopole of only .24 ha that is part of the climat Les Mitans). There is top note of

herbal tea to the ripe and pretty aromas of red and dark pinot fruit, spice and

discreet floral wisps. The lacy, delicious and vibrant medium weight flavors conclude

in a lingering, stony, chalky and lightly austere finale. While this could be approached

young, it should amply repay mid-term cellaring.

91/2028+

 

2020 Volnay ‘”Robardelle”

A relatively floral nose speaks mostly of dark pinot fruit that is trimmed in soft wood

influence. The notably finer middle weight flavors possess a sophisticated texture

that is succulent but punchy while exhibiting a touch of austerity on the dusty,

lingering and balanced finale. Lovely.

91/2027+

 

2020 Volnay ‘”Santenots”

(from Santenots Blancs). Brooding but nicely fresh aromas are comprised by notes

of red currant, dark cherry and warm earth. The supple and less concentrated

medium weight flavors that firm up noticeably on the dusty if attenuated finish.

This is somewhat awkward though I suspect that it will better come together with a

few years of bottle aging and thus my rating offers the benefit of the doubt.

90/2030+

 

2020 Monthélie “Les Clous”

There is just enough reduction present to shave the top notes from the very ripe

aromas of warm earth, cassis and poached plum. There is excellent punch to the

enveloping medium-bodied flavors that conclude in a moderately austere, sappy and

sneaky long finish that is structured enough to reward up to a decade of cellaring.

90/2028+

 

2020 Volnay “Les Pluchots”

Slightly fresher liqueur-like aromas of dark currant and exotic tea exhibit a violet top

note. Once again there is a slightly finer mouthfeel to the solidly concentration and

voluminous flavors that conclude in a dusty, even chalky youthfully austere finish

that is both more complex as well as more persistent. Lovely.

89/2027+

 

2020 Aloxe-Corton

(from Les Citernes). Here too there is elevated ripeness to the very fresh aromas of

earthy cassis and kirsch. The delicious medium weight flavors possess a supple,

round and sappy texture while displaying solid length on the mildly austere

and rustic finale. Les Citernes is hardly the most distinguished villages-level

vineyard in Aloxe, yet this really is pretty good.

88/2027+

 

2020 Monthélie “Aux Fournereaux”

Slightly riper aromas include those of poached plum, black raspberry coulis and soft

earth hints. There is both good vibrancy and richness to the medium-bodied flavors

that are presently somewhat compact and in need of better depth on the

moderately austere finale. This should nicely repay a few years of cellaring.

88/2026+

 

2020 Pommard

(from the villages-level portion of Les Chanlins, plus Les Lambots and La Croix

Planet). Once again, the nose is notably ripe while remaining agreeably fresh and

bright with its combination of poached plum and various dark berries along with a

dollop of earth character. There is very good volume and mid-palate density to the

suave but punchy middle weight flavors that brim with dry extract on the youthfully

austere and that also offers fine persistence. If this can develop better depth with

time in bottle my rating might be unduly conservative.

88/2027+

 

2020 Bourgogne Céte d’Or

A slightly more deeply pitched array of various dark berries, plum and earth leads to

fleshy, plump and round flavors that retain good vibrancy while displaying hints of

rusticity and austerity on the more complex and persistent finale. This is quite good

for its level and worth checking out.

87/2024+

 

2020 Volnay

(from Ez Echards, Les Pluchots, Les Pasquiers and Les Grands Champs). This is

slightly riper still yet still agreeably fresh with its blend of plum, dark pinot fruit and

discreet spice wisps. There is fine intensity and even better detail on the more finely

textured flavors that contrast somewhat with the youthfully austere finish where a

touch of greenish tannins imparts a slight tanginess. While the description suggests

a problem, this seems to work acceptably well anyway.

87/2026+

 

2020 Bourgogne — Passe-tout-grains

(from 80+ year old vines that are co-planted with 70% gamay and the rest in pinot

noir). A fresh, bright and peppery nose reflects notes of both red and dark berries.

There is good density in the context of what is typical for PTG while displaying only

moderate rusticity on the refreshing, inviting and delicious finale. A quality effort for

the genre.

86/2023+

 

2020 Volnay “Ronceret”

(from Ronceret proper). This is firmly reduced and the reduction extends to the

palate as well. Reduction on the palate is never a good sign and while it’s entirely

possible that this will recover with time in bottle, it’s impossible to judge confidently

at present.

Not Rated.

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92 to 94/100 Chassagne-Montrachet ler Cru Abbaye de Morgeot 2019

91 to 94/100 Volnay ler Cru Clos des Chenes 2019

91 to 94/100 Volnay ler Cru Ronceret 2019

91 to 93/100 Volnay ler Cru Champans 2019

90 to 92/100 Volnay ler Cru Santenots 2019

90 to 92/100 Volnay ler Cru Robardelles 2019

90 to 92/100 Pommard 2019

89 to 92/100 Volnay ler Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2019

88 to 91/100 Monthelie ler Cru Les Claus 2019

88 to 91/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2019

87 to 90/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2019

87 to 90/100 Aloxe Corton 2019

87 to 89/100 Volnay 2019

87/100 Bourgogne Aligote White 2019

86 to 88/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2019

86 to 87/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Sans Souffre Red 2019

85 to 87/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Red 2019

 

92 to 94/100 Chassagne-Montrachet ler Cru Abbaye de Morgeot 2019

These are not domaine vineyards, but come from 0.10ha which Pierrick farms and

then buys the crop. The nose is great, with an impressive density of soft white fruit

and a more lifted finish. The barrel is well integrated. Faint liquorice touch to finish.

Rather an attractive addition to the range.

 

91 to 94/100 Volnay ler Cru Clos des Chenes 2019

Their main plot runs from above the small road to the top of the vineyard, in addition

to which they own a small plot next to Monthelie, on flatter land with more clay.

Brisk darker purple, a classic Clos des Chenes nose, but headier and with slightly

more robust tannins. The sample was not quite so fresh, but I think this wine will

turn out extremely well.

 

91 to 94/100 Volnay ler Cru Ronceret 2019

A small holding of three ouvrees. Glowing crimson with a slightly sterner nose, but

there is altogether more density of fruit here over and above Robardelles. All the

class shows towards the back and there are some minerals too in the liquid black

and red fruit. Very good.

 

91 to 93/100 Volnay ler Cru Champans 2019

Younger vines, 33 years old. Medium deep crimson purple, attractive weight of

balanced Volnay fruit here. Very good weight on the palate, darker fruit, a little bit of

spice, more length than the lesser crus, finishes well. Tasted.

 

90 to 92/100 Volnay ler Cru Santenots 2019

A small holding of two ouvrees in Les Santenots Blancs. Dense rich purple. Here the

nose is not quite so fresh in this sample. Very peppery finish to lively raspberry fruit.

Not the massive even intensity of Santenots-du-Milieu, but with a pretty fruit

nonetheless.

 

90 to 92/100 Volnay ler Cru Robardelles 2019

The vines are planted north-south immediately below Chevret. Three barrels plus

one new feuillette have been made. Fine mid red, some elegance to the nose a little

bit peppery as well, especially at the back, with a bouncy vibrant finish to this.

Good example.

 

90 to 92/100 Pommard 2019

Three plots in Chanlins plus one each in Lam bots and La Croix Planet, so all, but

the latter are from the top of the hillside. Rich dense purple. Attractive full juicy red

fruit, with a concentration behind and some typical tannins-, but so much fruit to go

with them. Useful acidity too. Very good!

 

89 to 92/100 Volnay ler Cru Les Grands Champs (Monopole) 2019

Monopole as far as the ler Cru sector is concerned. Dense crimson-purple. Tightly

concentrated here up front, a little less behind, but still good wine. More raspberry

here in the fruit profile.

 

88 to 91/100 Monthelie ler Cru Les Claus 2019

Vines which used to be farmed were subsequently purchased. Dark core

in the centre, extra concentration of dark redcurrant fruit, good acidity, power more

than elegance here.

 

88 to 91/100 Volnay Les Pluchots 2019

6 barrels from half a hectare. Bright mid purple. The bouquet is more elegant than

the blended Vol nay with possibly more intensity too. It is certainly more classic on

the palate with a raspberry/cherry fruit, and a graceful finish of medium plus length.

 

87 to 90/100 Monthelie Aux Fournereaux 2019

Fine mid purple in colour, while the nose is currently rather discreet, jumping out of

the glass less than the Bourgogne. There is good fruit weight and tension

nonetheless, structured more than seductive.

 

87 to 90/100 Aloxe Corton 2019

A negociant cuvee, though the vines are managed by Pierrick after which he buys

the grapes. Fractionally less density of colour than the Volnays. Starts with plenty of

pure red fruit, but the tannins bounce up behind, so makes this less harmonious.

Well handled though.

 

87 to 89/100 Volnay 2019

This is a wide-ranging village cuvee which includes fruit from Les Lurets, Grands

Champs, Echards, Gigotte, Paquiers, Sur Roches and Chanlins. Rich mid purple, this

is rather riper with a deep walnut character alongside the ripe red fruit. Slightly

drier at the finish. Not quite the classical elegance.

 

87/100 Bourgogne Aligote White 2019

Produced from vines below Volnay, in the lieu-dit En Coulezain. Mid yellow, barrel-

aged, a ripe style of Aliqote with good yellow fruit weight and some grip, but less

acidity than we have become accustomed to. However, this does not lack grip or

length.

 

86 to 88/100 Bourgogne Cote d’Or 2019

Grown on the border between Volnay and Meursault. Glowing youthful purple, this

has considerable intensity, but without undue weight. Very pretty ripe raspberry

fruit, good structure behind. 20°/o new oak, adds a touch of vanillin, but nothing

more. A baby Vol nay style of Bourgogne.

 

86 to 87/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout-grains Sans Souffre Red 2019

One barrel has been taken out of the regular Passetoutgrain and kept unsulphured.

I do not know if there will be a specific name for the cuvee so have called it “sans

souffre” for the time being. The vines were planted as a field blend with probably

70°/o gamay by Pierrick’s great-grandfather. It is gorgeously juicy on both nose and

palate, with just enough acidity, no especial length, but really attractive.

 

85 to 87/100 Bourgogne Passe-tout–grains Red 2019

The vines were planted as a field blend with probably 70°/o gamay by Pierrick’s

great-grandfather. It is being matured in old barrels. Dense purple, with a slightly

burly nose, and a firmer finish than the sulphur free version. The tannins are more in

play here which makes the fruit seem less ripe. It was all the same wine at origin.

BOURGOGNE PASSETOUTGRAIN

A.O.C. (Appellation d'Origine Controlee)

Surface   0.45ha

Name   Monpoulain – Coulezain

Varietal   70% Pinot Noir – 30% Gamay

Colour   Red

Terroir   Clay and limestone

Exposure   South-East at the bottom of the Volnay hillside

VINIFICATION / MATURING

Manual harvesting in boxes; these are emptied directly onto a sorting table, where sorters remove foreign bodies and possibly the least appealing grapes before passing onto a vibrating sorting table. A conveyor belt then transports the harvest to the press. Since the 2016 vintage, the vinification has been done without sulfur to achieve the magnificent aromas of fresh fruit. As a result, fermentation begins quickly. Precise control of density and temperature is carried out twice a day to have ideal fermentation kinetics, and the wine is settled for a maximum of 24 hours after pressing to eliminate solid parts. The must is then put in vats for the beginning of the alcoholic fermentation, then halfway through the fermentation, we put it in barrels for 12 months. After this year of aging in barrels, the wines are racked, we add a little S02 to stabilize them, and then they are filtered or not depending on the case and bottled by us.

TASTING

With a beautiful deep carmine red color, this wine is very flattering, with a beautiful expression in the mouth: great aromatic richness where red fruits (candied cherry) and black fruits dominate, completed by the roundness of tannins. It is perfectly suited to red and grilled meats or as a simple aperitif!

Alcohol Content   13.50%
Residual Sugar   1.2g/L
Total Acidity   4.25g/L
Malic Acidity   < 0.4
pH   3.30
Production   1200 bottles

Format available   Bottle 0.75 L