Viniou Reviews
This wine hails from the esteemed Domaine Joseph Voillot, situated in Volnay within the Côte de Beaune, Burgundy. The 2023 vintage of the “Vieilles Vignes” cuvée is a red, dry wine crafted exclusively from old vines of Pinot Noir, the region’s signature grape variety. The age of these vines, often exceeding 30 to 50 years, imparts a remarkable depth, concentration, and complexity to the wine, while the careful artisanal vinification—typically involving partial de-stemming, gentle extraction, and moderate use of new oak—preserves Volnay’s hallmark elegance and finesse.
Volnay itself is renowned for producing some of Burgundy’s most graceful and perfumed red wines, famed for their silkiness and refined aromatic profile. The region’s vineyards are set upon a distinctive mix of limestone and marl soils, enriched with clay, which are especially well-suited to Pinot Noir, encouraging wines of both delicacy and subtle power. The climate of the Côte de Beaune is semi-continental, bringing warm, dry summers and cool, sometimes challenging, autumns that mandate careful viticulture and reward attentive producers like Domaine Joseph Voillot. The long-standing viticultural tradition here, with meticulous small-plot management, results in wines that truly express their unique origins.
For food pairings, this Volnay “Vieilles Vignes” will beautifully accompany classic Burgundian dishes such as coq au vin or a tender beef bourguignon. The wine’s finesse and nuanced red fruit notes also make it an ideal partner for dishes like roast duck with cherries, herb-crusted lamb, wild mushrooms, or a selection of lightly aged cheeses such as Comté or Saint-Marcellin. Its balance and suppleness will shine with simple roasted poultry and even some delicately spiced vegetarian dishes featuring root vegetables or mushrooms.
To fully appreciate its aromatic complexity and velvety texture, serve this wine at 15-17°C, ideally after a short decantation if enjoyed in its youth. This temperature will enhance both the purity of fruit and the subtle earthy and floral nuances characteristic of fine Volnay.
