2022 Vincent Girardin Volnay 1er Cru Champans, Burgundy

All destemmed, and currently a little reductive. This soon blows off to reveal quite a lean style of Champans yet with good intensity. Some concentration here, but still finding its way. Not racked yet. Drink from 2030-2036. Tasted Nov 2023.

90-92 points Jasper Morris MW insideburgundy.com

Vincent Girardin Volnay 1er Cru Champans is a refined and elegant Pinot Noir from one of Volnay’s most esteemed premier cru vineyards. This wine exemplifies the finesse and charm for which Volnay is celebrated, paired with the meticulous craftsmanship of Vincent Girardin. Known for producing wines that express the purity and terroir of Burgundy, Girardin brings a delicate touch to this premier cru, creating a wine of exceptional balance and depth.

The Champans vineyard is one of Volnay’s largest and most prestigious premier cru sites, situated on a gentle slope with southeast-facing exposure. The vineyard’s clay-limestone soils contribute to the wine’s structure and minerality, while its position within the Côte de Beaune ensures an optimal microclimate for growing Pinot Noir. The result is a wine that combines richness and complexity with a sense of grace and poise.

The grapes for this wine are hand-harvested and sorted to ensure only the highest-quality fruit is used. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts in temperature-controlled vats to preserve the natural aromatics and texture of the wine. Aging occurs for 14-16 months in French oak barrels, 20-30% of which are new, adding subtle notes of spice and enhancing the wine’s aging potential without overshadowing its delicate fruit profile.

In the glass, the wine reveals a luminous ruby hue. The nose is fragrant and layered, offering aromas of red cherries, wild strawberries, and raspberries, intertwined with floral notes of violet and rose, and a touch of earthy spice. On the palate, it is medium-bodied and silky, with fine-grained tannins and vibrant acidity framing flavors of juicy red berries, subtle licorice, and a whisper of minerality. The finish is long and harmonious, with an elegant balance of fruit and structure.

This Volnay is an excellent choice for dishes such as roasted duck, herb-crusted lamb, or wild mushroom risotto. It also pairs beautifully with game birds and soft cheeses like Brie or Reblochon. While approachable in its youth with some decanting, this wine has the finesse and structure to age gracefully for 10-15 years, gaining additional complexity over time.

Grapes come from vineyards from the village of Volnay in the Côte de Beaune, and especially from 'Les Lurets' and 'La Gigotte' vineyards, at the bottom of Volnay. The vines are 65 years old.Soil is clay and limestone, gently sloping. Harvesting is by hand. The grapes are partially de-stemmed and softly pressed during the 3 week alcoholic fermentation..Malolactic fermentation takes place in the French oak barrels (15% new) and the wine is then aged on fine lees for 14 months.

Volnay combines breeding with nobility, delicacy, elegance and feminity. It is  delicate violet with berry fragrance. One of the finest representatives of the Côte de Beaune. The Volnay is in the Côte de Beaune what the Chambolle Musigny is in the Côte de Nuits. A feminine wine which is one of the only Burgundy Pinot Noir you can already enjoy and drink when young.