COMTE ARMAND VOLNAY 2014

Comte Armand Volnay 2014

Bright red in colour, with immediate deep red fruit aromatics, this has plenty of fruit and energy on the palate with a slightly firm finish which the fruit will grow through. Paul Zinetti has replaced Benjamin Leroux as régisseur (general manager) at this famous estate. He has inherited a great position but also, alas, a tradition of hail-affected vintages. With this in mind, Paul has looked for lighter extraction in 2014, with less punching down than previously. He has been with the domaine for several years prior to taking over, so he is fully au fait with these vineyards. The village Auxey is a steal this year.

VARIETIES: 100% Pinot Noir
REGION: Volnay, Cote de Beaune, France
AGEING: 18 months using 20% new barrels
GUARDING POTENTIAL: Enjoy now or will cellar well up to 10 years ±, at an optimal hygrometric degree of 70%
SERVE: Serve at 14ºC – 16ºC
FITS TO: Porc grillé ou rôti / Faux-Filet de bœuf /Boeuf braisé au vin rouge /Fromage d’époisses /Tajine façon couscous
CRITICS SCORES: TA/92, CT/91, RP/89

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Volnay | Range | Domaine des Epeneaux

The Domaine du Comte Armand exploits as a monopoly the Clos des Epeneaux and vineyard plots located on the Volnay and Auxey-Duresses areas

Domaine des Epeneaux owes its name to the Clos des Epeneaux, a magnificent parcel of five hectares acquired by Nicolas Marey at the end of the 18th, beginning of the 19th century.

In 1828, the Clos des Epeneaux and related buildings, known as the Fief de Rancy, situated in the centre of the village of Pommard, became part of the heritage of the family of the Count Armand.

The estate remained as such until 1994 when it annexed a vineyard plot situated in the neighboring village of Volnay, then later parcels from the village of Auxey-Duresses.

Today, Domaine des Epeneaux constitutes a total surface area of 9 hectares, and is more committed than ever to producing wines that are true expressions of their terroir.

The Volnays are located on two distinct lieux-dits: les Grands Champs, and les Famines. The first climat (local term for plot) produces very fine, elegant wines quite characteristic of the appellation, while the second tends to give wines with more body. They are vinified separately and usually assembled once they have matured.