2013 Volnay Premier Cru Clos des Ducs

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 2013 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs has that citrus-like freshness; that Seville orange marmalade trait that was tangible in a range of mature Clos des Ducs tasted the previous week. There are touches of violet that emerge with continued aeration. The palate is very feminine and refined, laid back almost, but that distracts from the structure underneath and the persistence and minerality on the finish. This is a regal, perhaps one should say, "ducal," Clos des Ducs that should drink beautifully over the next 25-30 years. But as I discovered at the vertical, this vineyard needs several years in the cellar. - Neil Martin, Dez. 2014

Wine Spectator: This red offers well-defined cherry, currant and spice flavors, supported by vibrant acidity. Saturated with pure, ripe cherry fruit midpalate, this firms up, yet remains balanced and mouthwatering on the long finish, showing spice and chalk accents. Best from 2018 through 2030. - Mai 2016

Allen Meadows' Burghound: An elegant and pure nose features essence of red pinot fruit, rose petal and soft spice elements. There is excellent intensity and ample minerality to the beautifully well-delineated middle weight flavors though the youthfully austere finish is somewhat drying and a bit short. This is clearly going to need a few years to sort itself out as it didn't show especially well today. - Allen Meadows, März 2017

Vinous: Healthy dark red. Highly complex but youthfully restrained nose offers scents of black fruits, violet, chocolate, menthol and minerals, along with some faintly liqueur-like high tones. Boasts outstanding density of texture, not to mention great lift and power for this bottling, with almost exotic fruit ripeness leavened by strong acidity. Finishes with spectacular lingering perfume of violet, bitter chocolate, wild herbs and mint. An amazingly strong, bulletproof Volnay for the year--or for any vintage, for that matter. - Stephen Tanzer, März 2016