2011 Volnay Les Taillepieds 1er Cru

(these wines were bottled in April and May of 2013): Good bright red. Very ripe aromas of cherry, raspberry, mocha, pepper and earth; at once slightly roasted and herbal. Then sweet and fresh in the mouth, with red berry and herb flavors turning a tad green on the back end, which features substantial dusty tannins. Can't quite match the 2012 version for energy. Regisseur Francois Duvivier notes that the 2011s should really be opened a day in advance.

The 2011 Volnay Taillepieds is the only wine of the six 2011s I tasted here that is angular and compact. Perhaps additional time in bottle will do the trick, but today, the elements aren't fully put together.

Pale to mid crimson. A very slight hint of leafiness, like the 2004 pyrazines but subtle enough to have a positive – refreshing – effect. Pepper on the nose. That same slight leafiness on the palate, dry and very fine tannins. Fine grip, lovely freshenss, persistent. A little austere perhaps, at least at the moment. (JH)