2015 Domaine Marquis d'Angerville Volnay 1er Cru "Fremiets" (Pre-Arrival)

(from a 1.57 ha parcel). A notably ripe nose stops just short of surmaturité while displaying notes of plum, black cherry, earth and a pretty lashing of spice elements. There is a bit more size, weight and mid-palate stuffing to the velvety and palate soaking flavors that are shaped by a markedly firm tannic spine on the gorgeously persistent finale where the only nit is a barely discernible hint of warmth. Lovely but once again, patience required. (92-94)/2030+ (4/2017)

Bright ruby. Blackberry, licorice and violet on the perfumed nose. Fine-grained and suave, but with terrific inner-mouth floral lift giving the middle palate a sense of energy. The wine's finishing sweetness is leavened by saline minerality and noteworthy grip. Really spreads out to saturate the mouth; an outstanding example of this premier cru. (ST) (1/2017)

The 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Fremiets has a well-defined, quite floral bouquet with touches of blueberry and blackcurrant, plenty of undergrowth and hints of crème de cassis coming through. The palate is medium-bodied with quite firm tannin. There is considerable weight in the mouth, quite assertive and focused with a structured, almost Pommard-like finish. It feels a little curmudgeonly at the moment, but it will reward those who give it 4-5 years in bottle. Guillaume d’Angerville presided over a fine set of 2015s that rank amongst some of the finest from Volnay. "From the season standpoint, 2015 started similar to 2014 in terms of the early spring. But then the hydric stress began in May. We had some rain at the beginning of the month and then it became dry and very warm. The flowering was early, taking place around 10 June under perfect conditions after a little rain. Afterwards there was nothing, no rain at all, literally 2mm in around 6 weeks. It finally rained in 1 August and again 3 days later, which was a little late in the season. There was no disease - no mildew, oïdium - nothing. Overall, in theory it has the characteristic of a solar vintage but it has more freshness than you expect. The plant adjusted to the warm weather early in the season but the finish was not so sunny. The harvest began on 4 September under good conditions and it was easy because the fruit was so clean, finishing around 9 September. (NM) (12/2016)

Les Fremiets sits above the Clos des Angles, and the soils here are shallower. The resulting fruit tones are higher-pitched, with red plum and raspberry complicated by scents of pipe tobacco and raw cocoa. The tannic structure is more savoury and fine-grained, enrobed in less fat and texture, but with lovely focus and energy.Drinking Window 2025 - 2050.(WK) (2/2017)