Volnay, Champans, 1er Cru,

Champans is a wonderfully placed vineyard right in the heart of the Volnay appellation that understandably can produce the archetypal example of Volnay; sensual, floral and alluring. It is also, very arguably, the vineyard in the d’Angerville stable that has benefited most from Guillaume d’Angerville’s stewardship since he took over in 2003. The first thought that hits you here is that this is a level above any Champans the domaine has ever produced. Silky smooth, lacy almost, but with so much more power than it has ever had before, so long and intense, notes of dried flowers, strawberries, griotte, redcurrants with touches of rock salt, it displays an extraordinary balance – explosive but ever so charming. Glorious.