2015 Volnay Clos des Ducs 1. Cru Marquis d'Angerville

Dark ruby-red but a bit less deeply colored than the Champans. Alluring, expressive aromas of black cherry, minerals, black pepper and spices. Enters with outstanding silky refinement, then shows uncommon saline energy in the mid- palate, with wonderfully tactile flavors of red and black fruits, spices, flowers and minerals. The stunning whiplash of a finish conveys pronounced soil-driven minerality, a sexy suggestion of torrefaction and great length. This wine and the Champans deliver a magical combination of silkiness, density and energy.

It's got some serious competition, but this is (just) the best d'Angerville wine in 2015. Sourced from a monopoly holding of 2.15 hectares on the slope above the village, it's entirely planted on marnes blanches soils. Rich, supple and sappy, with remarkable precision and purity. noble tannins and a fine, harmonious finish. 2025-35 .

The 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs from Domaine Marquis d'Angerville is a lovely rendition of this great wine, offering up a lovely bouquet of rose petal, red cherry, orange rind and raw cocoa. On the palate, the wine is full- bodied, ample and layered, with a deep core of concentrated and crunchy fruit, bright acids, and a long, tangy finish of wonderful purity. This is a great Clos des Ducs in the making. 2025 - 2050 .

Black cherry, iron and spice flavors get support from a serious backbone of acidity and tannins. Starts out silky and ends firm, needing time to integrate. Stays fresh throughout. Best from 2023 through 2040. From France.- B.S.

There is enough reduction to push the underlying fruit to the background for today. The graceful yet precise flavors brim with both underlying tension and minerality and possess that beguiling quality of inner mouth perfume before delivering the best length in the range on the youthfully austere finale. This is very clearly built-to-age and it's going to need it; indeed I doubt that this will arrive at its peak much before it sees its 20th birthday. I would further observe that while this may not be the finest Ducster of the modern era, it should ultimately give both the 1999 and 2005 a run for their money, which indisputably puts it in elite company. 2032+

Reserved dark fruit, forest floor, spice, soil and chocolate, framed by a hint of new oak. Taut and ageworthy, with tangy acidity and ripe tannins.

Last, the monopole Clos des Ducs has the hard structure typical of the vineyard with excellent depth. The wine is medium-light and shows dark fruits. As one would expect, it is a wine that needs time - I'd expect 15-20 years for this wine really to come around. 94+/A .