Domaine Henri Boillot : Volnay 1er cru "Les Caillerets" 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Volnay 1er cru "Les Caillerets" 2021 from Domaine Henri Boillot

Tasting

Color

The color reveals a moderately intense ruby hue, lifted by coppery highlights.

Nose

The nose opens on an elegant floral bouquet dominated by notes of violet and rose. These floral aromas are accompanied by fragrances of red fruits, notably cherry and raspberry, along with nuances of black fruits such as blackberry and blackcurrant. Subtle touches of black cherry and prune complete this complex aromatic palette.

Palate

The attack on the palate is of moderate intensity with lovely freshness. The palate unfolds a taut, mineral structure, carried by silky, finely etched tannins. Bright acidity brings energy and shapes the whole. The finish lingers with persistence, bringing back aromas of fresh cherry, subtle earthy notes and mineral sensations. The overall balance reflects refined elegance and an authentic expression of the terroir.

Food and wine pairings

This Volnay 1er cru "Les Caillerets" 2021 is an ideal match for roast or confit duck, veal in sauce, feathered game such as pigeon or quail, as well as delicate cuts of beef such as fillet. It also pairs very well with characterful aged cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this Volnay 1er cru "Les Caillerets" 2021 at a temperature between 15 and 18°C. Decanting for around thirty minutes before serving will allow the wine to fully reveal its aromatic potential. This wine can be enjoyed from around 2027 and has the cellaring potential to evolve favorably until around 2041.

A Volnay Premier Cru combining Burgundian finesse with the minerality of the Caillerets terroir

The estate

The Domaine Henri Boillot traces its origins back to 1885 in Volnay, in Burgundy. Henri Boillot joined the family estate in 1975 before taking over in 2005, when the domaine adopted its current name. Today, Henri Boillot, President and Chief Executive Officer, runs the estate alongside his son Guillaume Boillot, who joined in 2006. The domaine spans around nineteen hectares of vines across the most prestigious appellations of the Côte de Beaune. Renowned for its highly sustainable, carefully considered viticultural approach and its environmental commitment, Domaine Henri Boillot has established itself as a benchmark for its white wines from Puligny-Montrachet and Meursault as well as its red wines from Volnay and Pommard.

The vineyard

The Volnay 1er cru "Les Caillerets" comes from one of the most renowned Premier Cru parcels in the Volnay appellation. Located at around 275 meters above sea level, this terroir benefits from an optimal east and southeast exposure. The soils are composed of limestone marls enriched with iron-rich oolitic material, resting on a pearlescent limestone subsoil. This distinctive geological composition gives the wines a marked minerality and characteristic chalky sensations. The vineyard is managed using a highly sustainable, carefully considered approach, excluding all herbicides and insecticides. Yields are deliberately limited to around forty hectoliters per hectare. Harvesting is carried out by hand at optimal ripeness, ensuring exceptional fruit quality.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by challenging weather conditions, notably significant spring frosts that greatly reduced yields. Despite these constraints, summer provided favorable conditions that enabled complete phenolic ripening of the grapes. The harvest took place in sunny weather, producing fruit of remarkable quality despite historically low volumes.

Winemaking and aging

After manual harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes for the Volnay 1er cru "Les Caillerets" 2021 are gently crushed. Fermentation takes place in small open wooden vats or temperature-controlled tanks, using indigenous yeasts. Maceration lasts two to three weeks, with punch-downs and pump-overs adjusted as needed. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in French oak barrels for twelve to sixteen months, with a moderate proportion of new oak in order to preserve the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir