Description
The 2021 Volnay 1er Cru Robardelle is generous, bursting with aromas of blackberries, licorice and toasty oak, followed by a medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy palate with a rich core of fruit, sweet tannins and a saline finish.
This was my first visit to this nine-hectare, fifth-generation domaine with family roots in Volnay and Chambolle-Musigny. Around 90% of the production is red, split across 16 cuvées (I've focused on the Côte de Beaune wines in the accompanying notes), and everything is now domaine bottled. Vinification consists of destemming, followed by a comparatively long cold soak of 12 days or so in stainless steel vats, which means that macerations in total last the better part of a month. Maturation followed in barrels from Rousseau and Trémeaux (reds) and Chassin (whites). The result is an expressive, fruit-driven style that will make friends without the need for extended bottle age.