2022 Yvon Clerget - Volnay Caillerets (750ml)

Domaine Yvon Clerget's roots in Volnay stretch back to the thirteenth century, though the estate lay dormant after Yvon Clerget retired in 2009, its fruit sold off to Henri Boillot until his son Thibaud revived the domaine in 2015. Thibaud works largely by instinct, following the lunar calendar and letting each terroir speak for itself, with the goal of preserving Pinot Noir's natural delicacy. Of the ten red appellations he now produces, six are premier cru and one grand cru, led by the flagship monopole Clos du Verseuil.

Les Caillerets is one of the domaine's true treasures, a parcel of vines nearly ninety years old covering just under half a hectare, of which only 0.38 hectares are currently in production. Their advanced age keeps yields meager, often around fifteen hectoliters per hectare, with just a few tiny bunches per vine. The grapes are destemmed and the wine aged in cask with roughly half new oak.

The result shows remarkable freshness and concentration, with mulberry and plum fruit layered over hints of earth, smoke, and leather. The texture is dense yet silky, showing real finesse, with mineral acidity woven through a long finish. Serve with grilled venison loin, a veal chop, or aged Gouda.