2015 Benjamin Leroux, Volnay Premier Cru, Les Caillerets

The maiden 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets, one new barrel out of three, comes from 0.5-hectare of vines with lots of Pinot Fin. The bouquet is very precise with fine mineralité, touches of slate permeating the red berry fruit. The palate is very well balanced with crisp acidity, nice tension here with the details and clarity conveyed by the Clos des Ducs. This is a very finely tuned, tensile Volnay that should age with aplomb.

(this wine essentially replaces Les Pitures in Leroux's line-up; pinot fin vinified with 75% whole clusters; aged in one-third new oak and just racked): Healthy dark red. Alluring nose combines black cherry, dark chocolate, licorice and a touch of oak. Boasts compelling sweetness, energy and definition, along with mineral cut and subtlety that I much more often find in wines from the Côte de Nuits. Finishes juicy and long, with firm, chewy tannins.