0.68 hectares in two plots, one with 50 year old vines, the other with 20 year, vinified together. 280 m altitude. 10% de-stemmed and aged in barrel (20% new).
Clerget's 2021 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots is the most elegant rendition of this site that he has produced to date, offering up aromas of rose petals, vine smoke, spices and orange zest mingled with sweet red fruits. Medium to full-bodied, supple and perfumed, with melting tannins and a long, saline finish, it's a real success.
The 2021 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru comprises two barrels instead of 18 barrels, indicating the severity of the frost. No pigeage for this vintage. The bouquet was slightly reduced as expected, the 20% whole bunches lending just a touch of black pepper. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red fruit, fine acidity and a little more sinew here, with a fine grip on the finish. Very classy.
This delicious Santenots has a forward, engageing fruit aroma of black plums and spice with notes of earth and a savoury edge. The ripe fruit continues on the palate, supported by a dense texture with balanced acidity and the extract to draw out the finish. This wine has the finesse and elegance of the best of the 2021 vintage. Clerget farms 0.68 in Volnay Santenots; 20% of the fruit was fermented as whole clusters after rigorous sorting, and the wine is ageing now in used casks.
This is also aromatically cool and restrained with its aromas of red and dark currant, spice and floral top notes, and in particular violet. The wonderfully refined, pure and lilting flavors exude a more subtle minerality on the lingering finish that firms up as it sits on the palate. This is quite lovely though I would note that it's more a Santenots of finesse in 2021.
