2011 Volnay Santenots du Milieu

The 2011 Volnay Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru has a very well defined bouquet with ebullient redcurrant and crushed strawberry scents, hints of blueberry following just behind. The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy ripe tannin. The oak feels a little strong on the second half, quite savory and meaty in style with a pinch of spice towards the finish. This might be moving into its secondary stage and can be drank now and over the next decade. Tasted at Flint Wines Burgundy 2011 tasting.

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Volnay 1er Cru les Santenots 2011 from Comtes-Lafon has an agreeable bouquet with red cherries, raspberry and dried flowers, hints of lavender and rosemary developing with time. The palate is nicely balanced with fine tannins and well-judged acidity. It is a more feminine and lighter style of Volnay, but balanced, dovetailing into a rather conservative but fresh finish. This is a composed and refined showing.

Outstanding. An expressive floral-infused nose displays elegant, pure and airy essence of red pinot fruit and herbal tea scents. There is a seductive texture to the soil and mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that evidence a saline component on the complex, balanced and impressively lingering finish. This is a lovely wine that should offer up to a decade of development potential.