Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Volnay 1er cru "Clos des Angles" 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2020 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Color

The color reveals an elegant ruby-red hue.

Nose

The nose expresses a crisp character of fresh fruit, with aromas of ripe red berries and black cherry. Mineral nuances accompany this bouquet, while with aeration, subtle floral notes and forest-floor aromas gradually emerge.

Palate

On the palate, this wine charms with its silky, velvety texture that coats the palate. The attack reveals great finesse with almost airy floral and mineral notes, supported by beautifully silky, fine tannins. On the mid-palate, the wine unfolds with great energy and a long aromatic persistence. The finish is vibrant, marked by a fine balance and an elegant tension.

Food and wine pairings

This Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2020 pairs wonderfully with roast beef with a light sauce, rabbit in sauce, or a good raw-milk Camembert. It also harmonizes perfectly with stuffed quail or lamb with reduced jus.

Serving and cellaring

It is recommended to serve this wine between 16 and 18°C. The Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2020 can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve until at least 2032.

A round and elegant Volnay Premier Cru from a clay-limestone terroir in Bourgogne

The estate

Founded in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, the fifth generation of winegrowers in Volnay, the Domaine Nicolas Rossignol now extends over 17 hectares spread across several prestigious villages of the Côte de Beaune in Bourgogne. After a merger in 2011 with the family estate Rossignol-Jeanniard, Nicolas Rossignol now oversees a vineyard covering around thirty different appellations. The estate stands out for a sustainable winegrowing approach inspired by biodynamics, without the use of chemical herbicides, and for minimally interventionist winemaking. In 2016, a modern and sustainable winery was built in Beaune, embodying the alliance between Burgundian tradition and responsible innovation.

The vineyard

The Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" is located in a well-exposed climat facing southeast, at around 250 meters above sea level. The name "Clos des Angles" comes from the triangular shape of the plot, located at the intersection of three roads. The soil has a clay-limestone composition comprising light grayish-brown clay and small white stones. The subsoil includes white, chalky-looking limestone, shallow in places, which imposes moderate water stress on the vines. This distinctive soil composition gives the terroir the ability to capture the sun’s warmth and release it at night to the vines, encouraging silkier tannins and complete fruit ripening.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in Bourgogne proved exceptional despite challenging weather conditions. The year was marked by historically early growth from budbreak, with a three-week head start leading up to harvest, which took place entirely in August. High temperatures combined with a lack of rainfall caused a significant water deficit as well as evapotranspiration phenomena in July and August. Paradoxically, the absence of rain allowed for very satisfactory grape health, limiting the incidence of fungal diseases. These particular conditions produced wonderful balances, making 2020 an outstanding vintage in Bourgogne.

Winemaking and aging

For the Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2020, the grapes are carefully sorted upon arrival at the winery to retain only healthy fruit at optimal ripeness. Winemaking involved a blend of 50% destemmed grapes and 50% whole clusters. Alcoholic fermentation took place in an open vat over 21 days of maceration, encouraging maximum extraction of phenolic and tannic compounds. Aging in French oak barrels lasted 16 months, including 28% new barrels, followed by 4 months of mass blending. The wine was aged on fine lees without racking, then bottled without fining or filtration, thus preserving the integrity of the wine and all the compounds that contribute to its complexity.

Grape variety

Pinot noir (100%)