1996 Domaine Jacques Prieur Volnay Santenots 1er Cru

I was impressed by the quality of this wine because it easily competed with the finest wines of the village. The medium-to-dark ruby-colored Volnay Santenots (this vineyard is officially in Meursault, but its red wines always carry Volnay's name) was aged in 50% new oak barrels, and displays a nose of violets, roses, and perfume. On the palate, this powerful, medium-to-full-bodied, concentrated, and well-extracted wine offers abundant black cherries and tangy blackberries. Traces of oak can be discerned in its long, soft finish. Projected maturity: 2000-2004. Importers: William Deutsch and Sons, Ltd., Armonk, NY; tel (914) 273-1221; fax (914) 273-1291, and Winesellers Ltd., Skokie, IL; tel (847) 679-0121; fax (847) 679-2017.