Wines Volnay Domaine Joseph Voillot - Champans - 2023

Viniou Reviews

The 2023 Domaine Joseph Voillot Volnay Premier Cru "Champans" stands as a refined emblem of Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune. This Pinot Noir expresses the unique nuances of the famous "Champans" Premier Cru site, renowned for its well-draining, marl-limestone soils lying at the heart of Volnay. The 2023 vintage reflects a combination of elegant ripeness and fresh acidity, benefitting from a balanced and relatively classic growing season. The wine is vinified with the house style in mind: gentle extraction, use of indigenous yeasts, and a thoughtful maturation in French oak (with restrained new oak presence), allowing the purity and finesse of the Pinot Noir to take centre stage. Expect a bouquet of red cherries, wild strawberries, and rose petals, complemented by subtle spice and earthy undertones. The palate is harmonious, silky, layered with finesse and fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, vibrant finish that speaks to the pedigree of the terroir.

Volnay lies within the Côte de Beaune, an area distinguished by its penchant for producing some of the world’s most elegant and perfumed Pinot Noir. The region’s climate is semi-continental, with warm summers and cool autumns, ideal for slow ripening and the preservation of fresh acidity. Volnay’s soils vary from light limestone at the top of the slope to deeper clay-marl at the bottom, with "Champans" benefiting from its mid-slope position where drainage and mineral content optimise vine health. The village has a longstanding reputation for crafting wines of delicacy and charm, with historical references dating back centuries placing Volnay among Burgundy’s most esteemed appellations.

For food pairings, consider classic dishes that honour the wine’s finesse and aromatics. Traditional Burgundian fare such as coq au vin, duck breast with cherries, or a simple roasted chicken with herbs works beautifully. Its elegance also complements grilled quail, pork tenderloin, and mushroom risotto. For a local touch, try it with oeufs en meurette or soft cheeses like Époisses and Brillat-Savarin.

Serve this wine slightly cool to highlight its vibrancy—ideally at 15-16°C. Decanting for about 30 minutes will help reveal the wine’s aromatic complexity, especially in its youth. This Premier Cru Volnay should evolve gracefully over the coming decade, gaining further depth and silkiness with a few years in the cellar.