2012 Volnay Fremiets
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets seems just a little dull on the nose, like a sulky teenager banned from playing his Marilyn Manson record. The palate is medium-bodied with ripe red berry fruit laced with mushroom and white pepper, although it is just missing a little complexity toward the finish. Fine, but perhaps more early drinking than its peers. Drink now-2019. Importers: Massanois Imports, Washington, DC; tel. (202) 470-6769, Cynthia Hurley French Wines, West Newton, MA Tel 617-965-4251 www.cynthiahurley.com and Chelsea Ventures, LLC, 1601 South Canal St, Chicago, IL 60616 tel. 847-920-5052. Also through several importers in the UK.
Critic scores
Average Score
Allen Meadows, Burghound
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
Good bright, dark red. Dark berries, spices, sexy minerality and a hint of mocha on the reticent nose. Rich and voluminous, but with lovely lift and a light touch to the subtle raspberry, spice and soil flavors. Finishes very strong and long. All of these Volnays represent crop levels between 14 and 18 hectoliters per hectare in 2012, according to Guillaume Boillot. The Boillots eliminated about 10% of their fruit on their sorting table, and Guillaume noted that this "took a lot of work."
Tobacco, white pepper, smoke, black fruit, spices, licorice and new leather are some of the notes that inform the exotic, intensely aromatic 2012 Volnay Fremiets. The 2012 is marked by a distinct sense of push and pull between the intensity of the fruit and more rustic, earthy elements that are present. The 2012 is burly and a bit rough around the edges, but intriguing in its on way.
This is noticeably more elegant with a lovely nose that is cool and pure with essence of ripe red currant, cherry and floral nuances. There is a highly seductive mouth feel to the lush and mouth coating medium weight flavors that exude a fine minerality on the complex, balanced and impressively persistent finish. Like all of the best wines in the range, this too benefits from the refinement of the supporting structure. Tasted: Apr 15, 2014. Drink: 2020+
About the producer
Based in Meursault and farming some of the finest vineyards in the Côte de Beaune, Henri Boillot is a leading address in Burgundy. He crafts fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, but the estate is best known for its flagship monopole vineyard, Puligny-Montrachet Premier Cru Clos de la Mouchère.