Vincent Girardin : Volnay Village "Vieilles Vignes" 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of Volnay 2022 Vincent Girardin

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a vibrant ruby hue, adorned with subtle garnet reflections.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with notes of red and black fruits (cherry, raspberry, strawberry), enhanced by floral touches of violet. Delicate spicy and vanilla nuances from the ageing process bring the finishing touch to the whole.

Palate
The attack is fresh and lively, carried by a lovely acidity. The mid-palate reveals a concentration of red fruits supported by fine, silky tannins. The whole displays a lovely volume with great delicacy, extending into a warm and lingering finish on fruit.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with feathered game (quail, pigeon), refined poultry such as duck breast, or delicate red meats like beef fillet. It also complements delicious vegetarian dishes such as a wild mushroom risotto, as well as mature cheeses (comté, reblochon, chaource).

Service and storage

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve this Volnay 2022 at a temperature between 14 and 16°C, after moderate decanting for 15 to 30 minutes. Approachable from today, this wine has the ageing potential to evolve favourably until around 2030.

The elegance and complexity of a red wine from the Côte de Beaune

The estate

Founded in 1980 by Vincent Girardin from two hectares of family vines, the eponymous house has established itself as an essential reference in Burgundy. Based in Meursault, the estate was acquired in 2012 by Jean-Pierre Nié, president of the Compagnie des Vins d'Autrefois, who remains its current owner. Under the technical direction of Éric Germain, the estate now cultivates around 17 hectares of its own vines, complemented by a high-level négociant business. Having converted to biodynamics, the Vincent Girardin estate was named "Négociant of the Year" in 2023.

The vineyard

This wine comes from plots located in the commune of Volnay, benefiting from an ideal south-east exposure. The vines, averaging around 65 years of age, thrive on steep hillsides between 230 and 280 metres above sea level. The terroir consists of Bathonian limestone with a reddish-brown colour, rich in iron and gravel, covered with brown silt. The entire vineyard is cultivated according to biodynamic principles, with work carried out entirely by hand.

The vintage

The year 2022 began with a mild spring, marked by a frost episode in early April that fortunately caused only minor damage. The summer season stood out for its warm temperatures, relatively dry weather, and exceptional sunshine. These highly favourable weather conditions allowed for slow and steady vine development, resulting in grapes of optimal ripeness.

Winemaking and ageing

After manual harvesting and rigorous sorting, the grapes for this Volnay 2022 are partially crushed and destemmed, with a portion of whole clusters included. Cold maceration precedes a fermentation in stainless steel tanks lasting around three weeks, punctuated by gentle punching down and pumping over. After pneumatic pressing, the wine is aged for 14 months in French oak barrels (approximately 30% new oak). The final blend is assembled in tanks one month before bottling, which is carried out according to the lunar calendar, without fining and with light filtration.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir