1985 Volnay Mitans

The 1985 Volnay Les Mitans 1er Cru comes from a bottle where the label had been scuffed, erasing the vintage. However, this pristine cellar only contained 1983, 1985 and 1987 and it was clear that it could only be the 1985. It has wonderful purity on the nose, quintessentially 1985 with ripe red cherries, crushed strawberry and just a hint of rose petal. The palate comes as a shock because you are set up for a sumptuous Volnay but no, this being de Montille, it has a keen thread of acidity, much more tart than I anticipate with hints of sour cherry and minerals on the finish. This is still youthful and it improves over the course of two hours in the glass. Tasted at Noble Rot restaurant with Mr. S.