A little deeper again; darker, almost brooding – it promises much. More velvet than silk, narrow entry but widens showing more power in the finish. And it’s a mineral finish. More reserved but more power than the Clos de la Cave.
Volnay Vieilles Vignes
2007 Potel Nicolas Volnay Vieilles Vignes
1999 Potel Nicolas Volnay Vieilles Vignes
A medium, medium-plus quite young looking colour. If it wasn’t so sweetly fruity I’d describe the nose as perfumed; it starts as a creamy ’summer pudding’ with undertones of caramel, 2 hours is enough to focus the aromas to a beam of pure red berry – as perfect as a young villages Volnay can be. On your tongue it has A1 balance and a very understated impact. A characterful flavour in the finish that nods to the barrel but without any of the wood tannin texture. I spent most of my time sniffing, but it tastes rather good too. I rather wish I’d bought this in magnums – but hey-ho…
2006 Potel Nicolas Volnay Vieilles Vignes
The Potel signature wine is, in 2006, a compendium of around 12 separately vinified parcels whose vines average out at 60+ years old. The nose is wide with a nice complexity of dried berries; cranberry, redcurrant and black cherries – very nice. The palate has good intensity and a background of ripe tannin. The finish is a good one. – recommended as always.
2005 Voillot Joseph Volnay Vieilles Vignes
Medium colour – a little darker than Voillot’s Brouillards. The nose has some inelegant powdery fruit and hints of sulfur, faint black shades and occasional glimpses of lovely pure fruit. It needs a lot of time – in fact overnight – and the nose cleans up considerably, turning quite black. In the mouth it’s fresh and slowly mouth-watering with just a little more tannic texture than the previous premier crus. The flavour profile is almost good but on day one reflects the less interesting parts of the nose – but improves, though comes across a little diluted in the mid-palate. It may put on weight with time, but I won’t be along for the ride.
1999 Potel Nicolas Volnay Vieilles Vignes
Medium-plus ruby red. The nose is a real stunner; full of individual red berries – redcurrant and cranberry. The palate has an understated entry which starts narrow, opening wider as you move along with the acidity into the mid-palate. Silken with well covered tannins and a nice length. Wonderful villages despite the short note!
2005 Potel Nicolas Volnay Vieilles Vignes
1997 Potel Nicolas Volnay Vieilles Vignes
Highly rated by Coates on release this wine tightened up and hid it’s charms very soon afterwards – most bottles were disappointing until last year when it looked like it might be turning the corner. Today it shows a medium-plus ruby-red colour. Cool, the nose is imbued with a hint of roast coffee and faint plum. As it warms, high-toned red berry fruit and red-currant is released. The palate gives a ripe impression, but still manages to serve-up sour cherry with a caramel edged finish. Still on the up, without a doubt the best bottle from this case.
2004 Potel Nicolas Volnay Vieilles Vignes
An assemblage from 13 different parcels. Fresh and complex nose, despite being quite tight. On the palate, a sweet entry that’s wide and interesting. You notice the structure before the texture but then there’s a really defining extra edge of complexity in the mid-palate. It might not be the greatest VV cuvée from this house, but it’s very good.