2023 Volnay Caillerets Anienne Cuvee Carnot
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Tasting notes
An extremely silky and elegant Volnay that charms its way into your heart. Very pure red fruit and great energy too. Then the fine tannins slowly but steadily build to a crescendo finish that somehow remains delicate. From a vineyard with very rocky limestone soil where the organically grown grapes ripen early. Drink or hold.
Critic scores
Average Score
Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy
Neal Martin
More reviews and scores
For the first time in 20 years, the Bouchard harvest didn't begin with the 2023 Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot, normally one of the estate's earliest-ripening parcels. Offering up notes of spicy berries, plums, baking chocolate and orange zest, it's medium to full-bodied, fleshy and ample, with a suave, seamless profile and a mineral finish.
The 2023 Volnay Les Caillerets Ancienne Cuvée Carnot 1er Cru has a surprisingly austere bouquet, revealing scents of blackberry and briar with touches of black tea/bay leaf. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannins, a pleasing concentration of blackberry and raspberry fruit and a healthy dash of white pepper that lingers on the finish. Drink over the next 20 years—this Volnay has legs.
Against the trend of recent warm vintages, Volnay was late this year for some reason. A bright vigorous purple, an indicator of lower pH. Gorgeously perfumed, very Volnay. Fills the mouth with an almost riotous raspberry fruit, then just a few tannins to finish but they are nicely refined. The flow of liquid raspberry fruit then washes across the palate. Very fine.
About the producer
Bouchard Père & Fils is one of Burgundy’s oldest and most established wine producers. Founded in 1731 by Michel Bouchard, it is the largest vineyard owner in the Côte d’Or with 130 hectares of vines.