2016 Volnay Santenots

(40 hectoliters per hectare produced from vines that escaped hail damage; totally destemmed): Bright, dark red. Aromas of cherry, raspberry and licorice seem a bit shallow following the Pommard Les Charmots. A juicy, fresh wine with saline flavors of red berries, spices and earth. But the tannins come off as a bit dry and tough owing to the wine's modest mid-palate depth.

From a 0.75-hectare parcel of 65-year-old vines, the 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Santenots was not destemmed since the bottom part of the parcel was hit by frost. It has a fragrant bouquet, very floral and more Volnay-like compared to the Volnay Santenots, just more personality and expression. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin, a lovely silver bead of acidity, very harmonious with a poised, mineral-driven finish. Superb.

(from a mix of older vines up to 80 years of age). Moderate wood frames a similar array of aromas though there is notably better complexity and this is true as well for the much denser and more powerful medium weight flavors where the dry extract imparts a velvety texture to the powerful finish. Very good quality.