2019 Seguin Manuel Volnay Vieilles Vignes

Domaine Seguin-Manuel is on Beaune property that has been planted to vineyards for nearly 200 years. But in 2004 the domaine was purchased by Thibaut Marion, a career vigneron whose family has been in the wine business for ten generations. Marion rejuvenated the domaine, which is also a negociant, and built a new winery. He also started growing organically and now all his holdings, both estate owned and leased, are organic. The estate produces about 80,000 bottles annually. Although estate vineyards were once located only in Savigny-lès-Beaune, today there are parcels in the villages of Beaune, Puligny-Montrachet, Pommard, Meursault and Vosne-Romanée. Seguin-Manuel makes a broad portfolio of red and white wines. Wine Advocate’s reviewer noted that “I have long been a supporter of Thibaut. He is a very considered winemaker, never pushing things too much, gradually building an admirable portfolio of both domaine and contracted bottlings…”

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.