Volnay, Champans, 1er Cru, 2012
An alluring wine that marries typical Volnay elegance and charm with the depth and complexity of a top notch 1er Cru. Lovely red berry fruit notes along with sloe cherry and damson overlaying a smooth, dense tannic framework. Serious and beautiful. 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 benefitted most from Guillaume d’Angerville’s stewardship since he took over in 2003.
critic reviews
Healthy dark red. Still a hint of leesy reduction to the aromas of dark raspberry and smoke. Powerful and penetrating but youthfully tight, with remarkably sweet dark fruit flavors and a texture of liquid velvet perfectly countered by excellent harmonious acidity. Boasts terrific thrust but for all its power, depth and sucrosité this premier cru seems less massive than the Frémiet. The tannins are firm but suave.