2012 Volnay Les Taillepieds 1er Cru

The 2012 Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds has developed the most attractive bouquet of Guillaume’s premier crus with ripe crushed strawberry, red currant jus and orange blossom scent that seem very harmonious and exhibit more vigor and panache than other the Caillerets or the Fremiets. The palate is medium-bodied with lithe and supple tannins. This is very well-balanced and silky smooth in texture with fine tension on the quite regal finish. There is a little Cote de Nuits in this Cote de Beaune! Drink 2015-2028.

Bright, dark red. High-pitched, very complex aromas of blackberry, licorice, minerals, flowers, leather and blood orange. Juicy, stony and taut; impressive volume and concentration here but youthfully imploded. Finishes very long, with a serious spine of tannins and a peppery aspect. This struck me as like a more tannic version of the 2010. A serious wine in the making, but this may well need a decade of cellaring.

The 2012 Volnay Taillepieds is a stunner. Waves of dark red/black fruit, menthol, cloves and spices explode from the glass in a wine that takes hold of all the senses and never lets up. Broad, rich and powerful, the Taillepieds is viscerally thrilling to taste today. The style is intense and quite brooding. Readers should be prepared to give the 2012 a good bit of time in the cellar.