Wine Advisor
Marquis d'Angerville, Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds 2014
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
Good dark red. Lovely floral lift to the aromas of kirsch and dark chocolate, with an element of smoky minerality introducing another element. Very smooth and pure in the mouth, showing more fat and refinement than the Frémiet, which seems almost chunky by comparison. Flavors of black cherry and berry liqueur are complicated by chocolate and smoky minerals. The wine's building tannins reach the front teeth and will need time in bottle to harmonize with the fruit. (Magnum)
Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer
(45% of this vineyard was replanted last spring):Good deep, bright red. Very pure aromas of red berries, flowers and minerals show an almost liqueur-like ripeness while retaining excellent lift. Silky-sweet on entry, then intense and sharply delineated in the middle, with serious but well-integrated acidity giving the wine excellent inner-mouth tension. The very firm tannins are outlasted by the wine's superb fruit. Made in a rather powerful, masculine style, this wine will need considerable cellar time.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2014 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds has a more reserved, introspective bouquet compared to the Caillerets: blackberry and briary scents, cold limestone emerging from the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with succulent ripe tannin and very well judged acidity. This just seems very natural, very refined, but what marks it out is the weight and persistence on the finish. This is a wine that lingers in your mouth. Give it 4-6 years in bottle and you will have a very serious Volnay.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2014 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds has a lively, vivacious bouquet with Morello cherry, raspberry coulis and hints of blackberry coming through with aeration - completely different from the introverted Taillepieds that I encountered out of barrel. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannin and well judged acidity, very focused and harmonious, a core of minerals delivered on the sustained finish. This clearly lands at the top of my banded score - a classy Taillepieds that should offer plenty of drinking pleasure over the next 20-25 years.
About the Producer
History Domaine Marquis D'Angerville began in the 19th century. In 1804, Baron du Mesnil, the sub-prefect of Autun in Burgundy commune acquires property Clos des Ducs in Volnay - the heart of the appellation Côte de Beaune. Surrounding areas were formerly part of the famous vineyards of Burgundy Dukes Taillepieds, Caillerets and Champans. After the phylloxera epidemic, devastating vineyards in the late 19th century, the nephew and godson Baron du Mesnil, Marquis Sam d'Arzhenvy begins restoration of historic vineyards, re-planting of Pinot Noir grapes. A staunch supporter of "authentic wines" d'Arzhenvy opposes corrupt wine merchants, whose reputation is not always perfect. He becomes the first manufacturer in the region of bottled wines, independently engaged and their subsequent implementation. Due to its unwavering commitment to quality and authenticity of the products d'Arzhenvy Sam was one of the founders of the National Institute of Origin and Quality (l'Institut National des Appellations d'Origine, (INAO)). Son of Sam d'Arzhenvy Jacques d'Arzhenvy, created his first vintage in 1945, and in 1952 he takes control of the estate. Following the tradition of Domaine Marquis d'Angerville, Jacques convinced that all the great wines are produced directly in the vineyards, and their success depends on the quality and the low yields of old vines. This approach, according to him, is more reasonable and effective than the "green fee" or thinning. Thus, after decades of observations and work on the selection of the best examples of Pinot Noir, the family d'Angerville received special honor to grow Pinot Noir under the naming "Pinot d'Angerville". From 1982 to 1987, Jacques d'Arzhenvy is chairman and honorary president of the Wine Academy of France. Throughout his life he devoted to the creation of the great wines of Volnay. After his father's death in 2003 his son William took control of the estate d'Arzhenvy in their hands, keeping the tradition of the manor transition from generation to generation. Currently he helps agronomist Renaud de Villette, who worked with Jacques d'Arzhenvy for fifteen years.
