2012 Comte Armand, Volnay

An intensely perfumed and vibrant wine, the 2012 Volnay dazzles from start to finish. Crushed rocks, slate, bright red fruit, mint and floral notes abound in a wine that impresses for its tension and energy. The flavors are so alive today, while the long, ethereal finish leaves a lasting impression. The last thing my notes say is: Wow!

(vinified with a bit of whole clusters; represents a yield of just ten hectoliters per hectare): Dark red with ruby highlights. Subtly complex aromas of red berries, herbs and smoke. Creamy-rich, tactile and smooth, with a restrained sweetness to the highly concentrated flavors of red fruits and saline minerality. Saturates the mouth on the finish, which features substantial dusty tannins. Benjamin Leroux noted that the estate now has a destemmer specifically made for pinot noir, which allows him to vinify with a higher percentage of uncrushed berries.