Volnay 1er Cru „Carelle sous la Chapelle“ AOC 2020

Wine Description for Volnay 1er Cru „Carelle sous la Chapelle“ AOC 2020 by Jean-Marc & Thomas Bouley

Colour & Appearance

Luminous, medium ruby red with pomegranate reflections – typical of a Premier Cru from Volnay. The colour already displays the elegant concentration of the 2020 vintage.

Nose

Captivating and multi-layered: ripe cherries and raspberries meet violets and roses. Beneath lies fine notes of forest floor, clove and a hint of sandalwood. The nose reveals that pure fruit character for which Thomas Bouley is renowned – precise, without over-extraction, with subtle spice.

Palate

Here the full class of the vineyard site reveals itself: silky texture with remarkably fine-grained tannins that combine power with Burgundian finesse. Black cherry and plum dominate, underpinned by graphite and fine roasted notes. The wine possesses impressive balance despite its 14.5% vol. – the roundness that characterises Bouley’s signature. Medium to full body with vibrant acidity that lends the wine freshness and length.

Finish

Long, elegant and precise. The fruit fades harmoniously, accompanied by fine mineral notes and a hint of liquorice. The tannins remain refined and promise excellent ageing potential.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site „Carelle sous la Chapelle“ lies on the slope beneath the small chapel of Volnay, on calcareous soil with iron-rich clay. This position gives the wine its characteristic combination of elegance and structure – less powerful than Pommard, yet more substantial than many other Volnays.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Pinot Noir from meticulously tended vineyards. Thomas Bouley’s impressive feel for oak is evident in the perfectly calibrated barrique ageing, which supports the wine without dominating it. The vinification emphasises fruit clarity and terroir expression.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Roasted duck breast with cherry sauce, Coq au Vin, roasted veal fillet, Bresse chicken with mushrooms, aged Comté or Époisses.

Special Features

This wine comes from a winemaker who has taken the Volnay appellation by storm since 2010. A Premier Cru that demonstrates how refined and balanced Burgundian Pinot Noir can be – already accessible now, yet with potential for 10-15 years of ageing.