Wine Advisor
Marquis d'Angerville, Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds 2018
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Description
Tasting notes
Reviewed by: William Kelley
More muscular than the more ethereal Caillerets that preceded it, the 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Taillepieds reveals a deep-pitched bouquet of cherries, wild blueberries, dark chocolate and orange rind, with only subtle hints of the savory nuances to come. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, concentrated and introverted, with powdery tannins, tangy acids and a tight-knit, reserved profile despite its evident sucrosity of fruit.
Reviewed by: Neal Martin
The 2018 Volnay Taillepieds 1er Cru comes from vines located high up on the hill at the same altitude as Clos des Ducs in a windy location. This has the most precocious bouquet among d’Angerville’s Volnays, with blueberry, cassis and iodine aromas billowing from the glass. The palate is built around a sweet core of slightly confit fruit. An unusually outgoing and approachable Les Taillepieds that is full of joie-de-vivre. Whether it has the intellectual element of, say, the Clos des Ducs or the Champans is another matter. It comes across as a Volnay more intent on sensory enjoyment.
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.
