Comte Armand : Volnay Village 2021

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Volnay Village 2021 from Comte Armand

Tasting

Appearance

The colour is a ruby red of medium intensity.

Nose

The nose unveils lovely red fruit aromas with notes of poached plum and black cherry. The bouquet is enriched by spicy nuances, a touch of warm earth and subtle mineral notes evoking red brick and oyster shell.

Palate

On the palate, this wine offers a medium body with fine, slightly powdery tannins. The attack reveals a discreet yet perceptible presence of oak, while the mid-palate expresses remarkable freshness and beautiful minerality. Notes of white pepper and bay leaf appear on the finish, bringing an additional aromatic dimension. The whole is distinguished by its suave character and very satisfying length, with beautifully chiseled details.

Food and wine pairings

This Volnay Village 2021 pairs perfectly with roasted or braised poultry, particularly duck confit, pan-seared duck breast, or game birds such as quail, partridge, or pheasant. It also elegantly accompanies Beef Bourguignon, simply prepared roasted or braised red meats, as well as rabbit dishes. Fans of more contemporary cuisine can pair it with mushroom and truffle pasta or risotto, or wok-sautéed vegetables with poultry.

Service and cellaring

This Volnay Village 2021 can be enjoyed now but will continue to develop until around 2028, according to critics' recommendations.

An elegant and refined Volnay by Comte Armand

The estate

Domaine Comte Armand dates back to 1828, when the Clos des Epeneaux became part of the Armand family heritage through marriage. Located in Pommard in Burgundy, the estate now covers nine hectares spread across Pommard, Volnay and Auxey-Duresses. Owned by Olivier Armand, the estate has been managed since 2014 by Paul Zinetti as Estate Manager and Cellar Master. A pioneer in sustainable viticulture, the estate obtained organic certification in 1992 and practices biodynamics. The Clos des Epeneaux, a five-hectare monopole, is the estate's flagship. Recognized as one of France's best winemakers, Paul Zinetti perpetuates a philosophy focused on terroir expression and minimal intervention.

The vineyard

This Volnay comes from two parcels: Les Grands Champs and Les Famines. Les Grands Champs produces very fine and elegant wines, representative of the appellation, while Les Famines brings more structure. The blend of these two climats results in a wine combining the finesse and delicacy characteristic of Volnay with a tannic structure ensuring good aging potential. The vineyard is managed using organic and biodynamic farming, without the use of herbicides or synthetic chemicals. Yields are intentionally limited to prioritize quality.

The vintage

2021 was one of the most difficult vintages in Burgundy's recent history. Severe spring frosts destroyed a large part of the emerging buds, leading to a crop loss of around 70% compared to a normal year. The vintage was also marked by strong mildew pressure and cooler conditions with reduced sunshine, limiting sugar accumulation and phenolic ripeness. These climatic challenges required rigorous grape selection and meticulous work in both the vineyard and the cellar to preserve quality despite the low quantity produced.

Winemaking and aging

The Volnay Village 2021 is crafted according to a protocol that prioritizes the preservation of fruit and aromatic expression. The grapes are entirely destemmed but the berries are not crushed, allowing for whole berry fermentation for gentle extraction. Fermentation takes place with indigenous yeasts over a period of approximately two to four weeks. Aging takes place in oak barrels for eighteen to twenty months, with 20 to 30% new oak. The wine is neither fined nor filtered before bottling, thus preserving all its aromatic complexity and natural texture.

Grape variety

100% Pinot Noir