2011 Nicolas Rossignol Volnay Chevret

Domaine Nicolas Rossignol was founded by Nicolas Rossignol in 1997 when the young winemaker acquired 7.5 acres of vineyards in Volnay, Pommard, Beaune, Aloxe Corton and Pernand-Vergelesses. Rossignol comes from a family of winemakers, and he is the fifth generation to make wine in Volnay. In addition to starting his own domaine he continued to make wine at the family domaine, Rossignol-Jeanniard. Today Rossignol manages his own estate and his family’s, which together include about 65 acres. The parcels are mostly Premier Cru, and in addition to his original appellations, he also has Premier Crus in Savigny-les-Beaune. There are also village wines.

Volnay is a small appellation with just 904 vineyard acres and a town of fewer than 500 residents. Nevertheless, to Burgundy enthusiasts, it's a jewel. Clive Coates calls Volnay “one of the most delightful wines and one of the most rewarding communes in the Côte d’Or.” Robert M. Parker Jr. described Volnay as “the queen of the Côte de Beaune.” Volnay has always been appealing. In the 13th and 14th centuries the powerful Dukes of Burgundy acquired land there and built chateaux. The medieval town sits on the hillside above the vineyards and the appellation is restricted to red wines made of Pinot Noir. Though there are no Grands Crus, there are 35 Premiers Crus. Some reviewers say the lighter soil of Volnay, compared with Pommard to the north, makes Volnay wines more delicate and elegant than wines from neighboring appellations. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote that Volnay has a “high-quality level of winemaking…The top Volnays possess an immense, seductive fruitiness and lushness…”

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.