Domaine Henri Boillot : Volnay 1er cru "Les Caillerets" 2020

Tasting notes and recommendations for Volnay 1er Cru "Les Caillerets" 2020 from Domaine Henri Boillot

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a deep red hue with black highlights, reflecting fine concentration.

Nose

The nose reveals aromas of black berries and cherry pit, accompanied by floral notes of rose. A subtle mineral dimension enhances the bouquet.

Palate

The attack is very delicate, gradually giving way to a remarkable structure. The tannins are present and silky, with no harshness. The terroir’s minerality brings definition and precision to the red-fruit flavors, harmoniously shaping the mid-palate. The finish stands out for its excellent length and perfect balance between all components.

Food and wine pairings

This Volnay 1er Cru "Les Caillerets" 2020 pairs beautifully with roasted or braised duck, feathered game such as pigeon or quail, as well as noble red meats like venison. It also complements elegant dishes such as veal in a light sauce or a porcini mushroom risotto.

Serving and cellaring

Volnay 1er Cru "Les Caillerets" 2020 is best enjoyed at a temperature of 16°C. This wine can be appreciated now, but will gain in complexity from around 2030.

A Volnay 1er Cru combining delicacy and Burgundian minerality

The estate

Established in 1885 in Meursault, Domaine Henri Boillot farms nineteen hectares of vineyards on the finest terroirs of the Côte de Beaune, between Puligny-Montrachet and Volnay. Henri Boillot took over the estate in 1975, before creating Maison Henri Boillot in 1995-1996 to expand the range. Since 2008, his son Guillaume, representing the sixth generation, has overseen vineyard work and the vinification of the red wines. The estate stands out for its commitment to organic farming and a minimalist approach to winemaking, aiming to reveal the authentic expression of each terroir.

The vineyard

Volnay 1er Cru "Les Caillerets" comes from an approximately 60-are plot located one kilometer south of the village of Volnay, on the lower part of the slope, at an altitude of around 275 meters. The south-east exposure promotes a balance between sunshine and freshness. The soils, about forty centimeters deep, are reddish-brown in color, notably dense, and rich in clay. The abundant presence of small limestone stones, representing between thirty and forty percent of the surface, gives the wine its characteristic minerality and remarkable definition.

The vintage

The year 2020 proved complex for Bourgogne, marked by particular climatic challenges with an acceleration of ripening in early areas such as Volnay. Winegrowers had to show discernment to harvest the grapes at optimal maturity without excess. For experienced producers, the 2020 vintage offered the opportunity to produce wines of deep intensity and remarkable complexity.

Vinification and aging

Volnay 1er Cru "Les Caillerets" 2020 was crafted using whole-cluster vinification, including stems sufficiently ripe to bring structure and freshness without any herbal character. Fermentation took place with indigenous yeasts, followed by aging in 100% new barrels. This minimalist approach aims to preserve the expression of the terroir while subtly enhancing the wine’s profile.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir