2018 Volnay Santenots du Milieu

The 2018 Volnay Les Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru has a high-toned and quite opulent bouquet, very seductive and vibrant, delivering copious dark cherries, blueberry and touches of bilberry. The palate is velvety-smooth with a fine bead of acidity, very harmonious and voluminous. It feels very dense toward the finish and though it lacks the elegance of the 2017 and 2019, it has the legs to last 20–30 years.

In cask until April 2021. Quite an evolved, savoury nose. Deep and rich on the nose. But just a bit tart and lacking on the palate. Not a good moment to show this wine? Seems a bit hollow. And raw. (JR)

The 2018 Volnay Les Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru has the most intense bouquet of Dominique Lafon’s Volnays this year, intense black cherry scents intermingling with boysenberry and light cassis aromas, all delivered with the utmost detail. The palate offers black cherry and raspberry fruit infused with violets, very fine tannins and gentle grip. The silky-smooth finish fans out gloriously. Stunning.