WTN: JM Bouley 2001 Volnay

As I continue my quest to learn more about French wines, tonight I had this lovely wine with fresh chopped tomato/basil/olive oil/garlic pasta and steamed broccoli with chopped and sauteed Canadian bacon.

Earthy, mushroom, and dark cherry on the nose. Lean and elegant with present but very subtle black and tart cherry fruit on the palate; present but tamed tannins. Nice long and earthy/tea leaf finish. A great match with tonights dinner! YUMMMMMMMmm!!

I had a 98 Volnay Les Caillerets from these people a few months ago that was very crisp and fine (if slightly high in VA), but it was nonetheless respectable. Seems like a solid affordable producer, although I don't have too much experience?

I've also found the Bouleys solid if not spectacular. Much of Volnay got hit hard with hail in 2001, but this sounds nice (which has been my experience of those Volnays that weren't damaged).

As the Italians say, when they don't know something... "BOH?????"......

I bought this at a random chance that I might enjoy it. $32 with PA tax. I figured it would not be a recommended vintage since it was available for purchase in 2007 at a state store, but I bought it anyway. Glad I did. I can see how some fruit forward palates might not have enjoyed this, but I did.

Paulo,
hail in Volnay is just like hail in Barolo- spotty. Some producers are spared, others' plots are hit. Of the ones that are hit, some do ruthless sorting, others more or less shrug. So while the vintage charts for 2001 Volnay or 2002 Barolo will generally have poor scores, there are still some good wines out there. Glad you found one!

That makes sense, Dale. Thanks for the info.

I look forward to meeting you on the 27th!

Hey Paulo,

We drank a Volnay Champans from Bouley that night in Haverford. I think it was Pascal and Reyane Bouley and not JM, though. I wonder if they are related at all. I'm pretty sure I have another bottle somewhere, will have to dig it out and see how it is doing.

I love the wines from Volnay I've tried. See if you can find one from Lafarge. Even their Bourgogne is good, I think it is from vines just outside Volnay proper.

Thanks for the note.

Best,
Marc

Hey Paulo,

We drank a Volnay Champans from Bouley that night in Haverford. I think it was Pascal and Reyane Bouley and not JM, though. I wonder if they are related at all. I'm pretty sure I have another bottle somewhere, will have to dig it out and see how it is doing.

I love the wines from Volnay I've tried. See if you can find one from Lafarge. Even their Bourgogne is good, I think it is from vines just outside Volnay proper.

Thanks for the note.

Best,
Marc

Really? Wonder if they are related to Jean-Marc. That was a LOVELY wine we had. I will look for Lafarge. I'll be heading up to NYC on the 27th for an off line with Jay, Jeff and Chris, so maybe I can bring this wine if I can find it.

When do you come out to Philly again? Let me know! Hope all is well.

PLO

Day 2:

Stronger wet forest and more earthy complexity, and deeper black cherry. Yummmm!!! Elegant, complex and sexy - kind of like discovering someone is a great kisser at the end of a great date!