2018 Volnay Premier Cru Clos des Ducs

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: The 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs is a terrific wine in the making, unfurling in the glass with a complex bouquet of rose petals, ripe red berries, orange rind, raw cocoa, grilled squab and sweet soil tones. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, deep and succulent, its vibrant core of fruit framed by fine, powdery tannins. The finish is long and perfumed. - William Kelley, Jan. 2020

Allen Meadows' Burghound: A distinctly cooler nose is composed by aromas of red currant, cherry and a broad array of spice and floral wisps. There is outstanding intensity to the racy, well-detailed and strikingly stony medium weight flavors that deliver superb persistence and even more minerality on the balanced and wonderfully refreshing finale. This is also very classy juice and should age well for years. - Allen Meadows, Apr. 2020

Vinous: The 2018 Volnay Clos des Ducs 1er Cru, the famous 2.15-hectare monopole of the domaine, is matured in around 25% new oak, although Guillaume d’Angerville mentioned that he intends to use less new oak in the future. It has a very intense bouquet of raspberry preserve, kirsch, blood orange and sous-bois aromas, all displaying wonderful delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with fabulous density and complexity, offering brambly red fruit, blood orange, orange peel, suggestions of dark chocolate and, of course, wonderful mineral tension on the persistent finish, which fans out beautifully. This is an exceptionally fine Volnay that will age for 30–40 years. - Neal Martin, Jan. 2020