Aromas of sweet berries, spices and raw cocoa, framed by a deft touch of oak, introduce the 2019 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets, a medium to full-bodied, deep and succulent wine with fine mid-palate volume, lively acids and an attractively saline finish. This cuvée derives from old vines, some dating back to 1932.

Mingling notions of cassis, cherries and plums with hints of coniferous forest floor and dark chocolate, the 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets is medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, with an enveloping, multidimensional core, fine energy and a mouthwateringly saline finish.

The 2016 Volnay 1er Cru les Fremiets, reduced to seven barrels this year (40% one- or two-year-old oak), offers attractive, pure, raspberry and crushed strawberry scents on the nose, floral scents (rose petals) sneaking out from under the coves with time. The palate is medium-bodied with fine, lithe tannin. I adore the harmony and precision of this Fremiets, not a powerful or flamboyant Volnay, but just Pinot Noir shimmering on the tongue. This comes highly recommended for those that appreciate classic Volnay.

The 2015 Volnay 1er Cru les Fremiets has an elegant bouquet with scents of briary, woodland and red berry fruit. There is lovely purity of fruit here, great transparency. The palate is well balanced with fine structure, quite firm tannin, superb focus with red merging with black fruit towards the slightly saline finish. This is a great wine from Jean-Pierre Chalot.

The 2014 Volnay 1er Cru Fremiets has a crystalline bouquet with mineral-rich red cherry and fresh strawberry fruit that open beautifully in the glass. The palate is very well defined, silky smooth and harmonious, gently building to a seductive, fleshy, charming finish that has exquisite poise. This comes highly recommended.