Volnay Vieilles Vignes Valentin-Rossignol red 2019

The fruit of five generations of expertise, Domaine Rossignol-Février has been perpetuating a tradition of winemaking excellence in the heart of the Côte de Beaune since 1920. Located in the prestigious terroirs of Meursault, Volnay, Pommard, and Beaune, the estate now covers 18 hectares cultivated using Demeter-certified biodynamic methods since 2009. Under the direction of Frédéric Rossignol, each harvest is vinified and bottled at the estate, preserving the integrity and purity of these exceptional family vineyards.

This Volnay is made from remarkably mature vines, averaging 40 years old, planted at the traditional density of 10,000 vines per hectare. The biodynamic management of the vineyard prioritizes meticulous soil work, enriched with specific preparations that strengthen the vines' resilience and naturally prevent fungal diseases. This approach, respectful of the soil's balance, guarantees the authentic expression of the terroir in every grape.

Yields average 2.5 tonnes per acre, and each vine is limited to approximately eight grape clusters for uniform spacing. This ensures complete ripening of the grapes, as well as an accurate reflection of the characteristics of each particular terroir.

After selection, the red grapes are largely destemmed before being transferred to temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for the first alcoholic fermentation. Depending on the quality of the vintage, a very good harvest may see a few whole bunches added to the tanks to contribute structure and complexity to the finished wine. Fermentation proceeds slowly in a cool cellar, and the tannic structure is managed through frequent tastings and occasional punch-downs (stomping of the skins and seeds) rather than pump-overs.

After alcoholic fermentation and a total maceration period of 18 to 24 days (depending on regular tastings), the wines are transferred to barrels, with an average of 20% new oak, depending on the appellation, the wine's structure, and the vintage. The skins and seeds are gently pressed to avoid breaking the seeds and extracting bitter tannins. The wines age in oak barrels for 10 to 15 months before bottling, depending on their maturity. Red wines are bottled unfiltered to preserve their vibrancy and energy.

This Volnay comes from five different plots with a minimum vine age of 45 years. It displays a beautiful balance between fruit, acidity and tannic structure, as well as a pure expression of the terroir with vibrant notes of strawberry, cherry and minerals, along with an earthy/smoky nuance.