Site: south of Beaune, on the slopes, next to Pommard.History & tradition: because of the purity of its air, Volnay was apparently the favourite residence of the ladies at the court of the Duke of Burgundy. The other attraction was of course the charm of its wines. "Santenots" is a specil "climat" in the Volnay appellation. Classified as a Premier cru, Volnay-Santenots is produced on the commune of Meursault. Eastern exposure, at mi-slope.Soil: marl and limestone of different colours with small pebbles.
Viticulture
Plantation density: 10,000 vinestocks/ha in order to extract as much as possible from the terroir and limit the production of each vine stock.Pruning: Guyot.Yield: 45 hl/ha - purposely low, in order for the grapes to reveal every nuance of the terroir.Grape Supply: grapes and wines provided by regular supply partners (long-term contracts).
Vinification
- Maceration and vinification take 2 to 3 weeks - Indigenous yeasts- Maceration and fermentation temperatures under total control.Joseph Drouhin seeks total control of the process of extraction; extraction gives colour and substance but should never be detrimental to the finesse and typical character of the wine.
Ageing
Type: in barrels (20% in new oak).Length: 14 to 18 months.Origin of the wood: French oak forests.Weathering of the wood: Joseph Drouhin insists on total control of the weathering for a period of 3 years, one of the contributing elements to the elegance of the wine.Follow-up: barrel by barrel.Throughout the ageing process, decisions are taken only after careful tasting evaluation, barrel by barrel. The data obtained is then completed through technical analysis. As with every other Joseph Drouhin wine, absolute priority is given to the true expression of terroir and character of the vintage.
Tasting note by Véronique Boss-Drouhin
"Volnay-Santenots always reflects charm and seduction. It is appreciated for its finesse, its sap and fragrance. Bright ruby-red and light garnet colours. Delicate and complex aromas of violet, gooseberry, cherry, evolving with age towards spice, game and cooked prune flavours. On the palate, the wine is harmonious. Freshness, velvet mouth and tannins are perfectly mingling. The wine is delicate, but altogether fleshy and sweet, without any flabbiness, and tinged with a contained energy".
Serving
Temperature: 16°C (61-62°F).Cellaring: 8 to 20 years.
