2015 - Volnay 1er Cru Carelles, Jean-Marc Bouley

(Bouley's parcel of 18-year-old vines is on a gentle, sunny slope in the south part of Carelle Sous la Chapelle, near Champans, where the site's protection from wind always results in very ripe grapes; 100% destemmed): Bright ruby-red. Highly expressive nose offers kirsch, black raspberry, licorice and violet scents. A suave, silky, dense fruit bomb with lovely sweetness and generosity but also a firm chalky underpinning. These younger vines produced a healthy 38 hectoliters per hectare in 2015. Best today on the ripely tannic, palate-saturating finish, which displays a touch of positive youthful bitterness and noteworthy energy. Bouley describes this wine as his baby.

Quite dark purplish crimson. Some walnut character and real structure. Sophisticated and it covers all the palate. Velvety texture without being sickly. Firm for the future. (JR)