Domaine Nicolas Rossignol : Volnay 1er cru "Clos des Angles" 2021

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2021 from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a cherry-red hue with bright highlights.

Nose

The nose opens on a complex bouquet of ripe red fruits, notably cherry and raspberry, joined by delicate floral notes of peony. Subtle, lightly smoky woody touches round out the aromatic profile harmoniously.

Palate

The attack is silky and delicate. On the palate, this wine reveals a velvety texture supported by fine, elegant tannins. Its balanced structure is paired with invigorating freshness and lingering fruit notes. The long, refined finish attests to the exceptional quality of this premier cru.

Food and wine pairings

This Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2021 pairs perfectly with roast beef, rabbit in sauce, or farm-roasted poultry. It also goes beautifully with wild mushroom risotto or aged Camembert. Cheese lovers will enjoy it with Chaource or a creamy Reblochon.

Serving and cellaring

The Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2021 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. About an hour of aeration helps it fully раскры its aromas. This wine offers cellaring potential of around 10 to 20 years.

An elegant, silky Volnay Premier Cru from Domaine Nicolas Rossignol

The estate

Founded in 1997 by Nicolas Rossignol, a fifth-generation winegrower in Volnay, the Domaine Nicolas Rossignol now spans 17 hectares across several prestigious villages in the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy. Following 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 viticultural approach inspired by biodynamics, with no chemical herbicides, and low-intervention winemaking. In 2016, a modern, sustainable cellar was built in Beaune, embodying the alliance between Burgundian tradition and responsible innovation.

The vineyard

Clos des Angles is a terroir located at the foot of the slope at the southern tip of the Volnay appellation, bordering Meursault. This triangular plot owes its name to its distinctive geometric shape, set at the angle formed by two vineyard paths. The climat benefits from an optimal south-east exposure at around 250 meters above sea level. The clay-limestone soils contain a high proportion of small fragments of shattered limestone rock, promoting excellent drainage while retaining a measured level of moisture. This composition gives the Clos des Angles wines their balanced, elegant character, with a fine structure and a silky texture. This terroir is known for producing rounded wines that are approachable when young, with plenty of fruit.

The vintage

The 2021 vintage in Burgundy was marked by contrasting weather conditions. After a mild winter, spring brought episodes of frost and hailstorms. Despite these challenges, rainy June and July were followed by a more stable period, allowing the grapes to ripen optimally. Yields proved very low—among the lowest of the past two decades—encouraging remarkable natural concentration. The 2021 vintage is defined by its freshness, finesse, and crystalline transparency, allowing a pure expression of terroir. The wines show moderate alcohol levels and striking brightness, offering a beautiful gustatory stroll rather than spectacular fireworks.

Winemaking and aging

The Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Angles" 2021 grapes are harvested by hand in small eight-kilogram crates. After a rigorous double sorting—on a vibrating table and by hand—alcoholic fermentation starts naturally with indigenous yeasts and lasts between six and eight days. Punch-downs and pump-overs are carried out at a frequency adapted to the vintage. Aging takes place over ten to twenty months in oak barrels, with the proportion of new oak varying by vintage. The wine rests on fine lees without racking throughout the entire aging period. Malolactic fermentation is intentionally delayed by around six months, beginning in the spring following the harvest. Bottling is carried out without fining or filtration, thus preserving the wine’s integrity and natural character.

Grape variety

Pinot noir (100%)