The 1983 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs was one of the unexpected pleasures of the Clos des Ducs vertical. From a difficult season, it has manifested an attractive bouquet with plenty of brambly dark fruit (red plum, strawberry preserve and a hint of licorices) without any sign of rot. The palate is well balanced with firm, quite "thick" tannins that lend it rusticity. But it feels supple and lithe in the mouth with a hint of mushroom on the autumnal finish suggesting that it should be drunk over the next few years. Otherwise, this is a great success in the context of the vintage.