2010 Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay Clos des Chenes 1er Cru

Medium red. Strong, slightly decadent aromas of redcurrant and dried rose. Broad, sweet and generous but also nicely supported by a serious spine of acidity and substantial ripe tannins. Very closed wine, not currently showing the verve or lift of the 2011, but strong on material.

The 2010 Volnay Clos des Chênes sweeps across the palate with endless layers of fruit. It is a gorgeous, seamless wine graced with exquisite finesse and class. Nothing really stands out, as all of the elements are perfectly in place. Suave, silky tannins frame a long, utterly polished finish supported by insistent saline notes. This is a great showing.

Good medium red. Medicinal cherry, cocoa and clove on the reticent but pure nose. Suave, pliant and intense, with terrific intensity to the flavors of cherry, plum, fresh herbs and smoky underbrush. This is atypically open-knit for this cuvee at this early stage, but that's deceptive, as this wine has outstanding structure for a slow and glorious evolution in bottle. Most impressive today on the rising, perfumed finish, which features noble tannins that reach the front teeth.