2022 Jean-Marc Bouley - Volnay Clos des Chenes (750ml) [PRE ARRIVAL]

Jean-Marc Bouley was born into a family of winegrowers and started working beside his father in the vineyards at fourteen. His wines got early recognition: France’s Guide Hachette gave him its Grappe d’Or in 1994 for his 1990 Volnay Caillerets. His son Thomas joined in 2002, which brought better cellar conditions and humidity control and noticeably purer wines. Thomas has made the wines since 2012, and the family now farms holdings across Volnay and Pommard.

Clos des Chênes, named for the oak trees that once grew there, covers much of the midslope south of Volnay village. Its neighbors are the premier crus Les Caillerets, Taille Pieds and En Champans. Bouley’s 0.43 hectares, planted in 1951 and 1971, are split between two contrasting parcels. The upper one faces southeast on windy, white limestone soil, and the lower one sits on deeper, heavy clay. Bouley uses more whole clusters at clay-rich sites like this one. As one of his top wines, Clos des Chênes gets a larger share of new barrels and ages on its fine lees through two winters before bottling.

The 2022 opens with cassis, rose petals and spice. The palate is medium to full-bodied, fleshy and layered. Pour it with beef bourguignon or roast venison, or cellar it.