Vincent Girardin 2016 Volnay, Les Vieilles Vignes

Grapes for this wine come especially from "Les Lurets” and "La Gigotte” vineyards, at the bottom of Volnay, from vines averaging 65 years of age. It's a Gentle slope with soils of clay and limestone. The 100% Pinot Noir grapes are harvest-picking by hand. The grapes are sorted twice, then partially destemmed. Fermentation is in stainless steel thermo-regulated  tanks, beginning with natural yeasts.


The wine is put into the cask further to a soft settling of the juice in French oak (15%   new oak). The aging lasts 14 months on fine lees and the wine is bottled without fining and filtering.


Jeb Dunnuck tasted a barrel sample and scored this 91-93 saying "The 2016 Volnay Vieilles Vignes is another impressive 2016 barrel sample. Notes of black cherries, blackberries, smoked earth, underbrush, and earth all give way to a medium to full-bodied, concentrated, structured wine that has ripe, present tannin, loads of fruit and depth, and a big finish. This is a rich, concentrated 2016 that has beautiful purity and finesse, as well as power."


Wine & Spirits Magazine scored this 90 points saying "This wine’s plump raspberry richness is held in a sturdy structure, the earthy tannins working their way in to darken the fruit. It finishes black and smoky, a saturated young Volnay to age."


Wine Spectator scored this 90 points saying "Rich and vibrant, with rose, black cherry and black currant flavors gaining support from earth, toasty oak and sweet spice notes. Dense tannins come into play as this extends on the long finish. Best from 2021 through 2033."