2016 Domaine Michel Lafarge, Volnay Premier Cru, Clos des Chenes

The 2016 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru has an exquisitely defined bouquet with pure red cherry mixed with crushed strawberry, disarming mineralité and tension. The palate is beautifully balanced, symmetrical even, with a fine bead of acidity, well integrated new oak, a little fleshiness towards the finish, simply everything you could desire from a Volnay. Stunning. Tasted blind at the 2016 Burgfest tasting in Burgundy.

(24 hectoliters per hectare): Bright medium red. Captivating perfume of cherry, raspberry, minerals and flowers. Wonderfully generous yet light on its feet, conveying terrific sappy energy and aromatic lift to its red fruit and spice flavors. Quite tactile on the back end, which features firm but sweet tannins and superb spicy persistence. This wonderfully scented wine has the structure for a long life in bottle.