Volnay-Clos des Chênes 1er Cru 

2020

100% Pinot Noir

Region: Côte de Beaune, Burgundy 

ESTATE HISTORY 

Gaunoux is an old Côte de Beaune family whose most famous member was Henri Gaunoux—a celebrated vigneron in the decades on either side of the second war. Upon his death in 1972 his estate was divided among his family, and his two sons consolidated the vineyard parcels into two domaines: Domaine François Gaunoux in Meursault, and Domaine Michel Gaunoux in Pommard. Henri’s grandson, Jean-Michel, went to work side by side with François in 1978. In 1990, Jean-Michel split with his father and started his own domaine with vineyard parcels from his mother’s family. In 1991, he put in a new cellar and ageing rooms. The domaine farms nearly six hectares, or 14.5 acres, in the villages of Meursault, Pommard, Puligny-Montrachet, and Volnay.

TERROIR

The Volnay-Clos des Chênes 1er Cru comes from a southeast-facing mid-slope vineyard at 270 meters altitude. The iron-rich clay-limestone soil provides power, while the estate’s sustainable farming and old vines (some from 1960) ensure the classic Volnay elegance remains. The result is a generous, structured wine with strong aging potential.

VITICULTURE

Sustainable farming practices (lutte raisonnée). To preserve the terroir and natural soil structure, the estate avoids the use of weedkillers and instead relies on regular plowing. The vineyard's depth and complexity are further supported by the presence of old vines, with some parcels having been planted as far back as 1960.

WINEMAKING

The winemaking process at the estate follows a traditional path where the total fermentation period lasts between fifteen and twenty days. Following fermentation, the wine is aged in oak barrels for fifteen to sixteen months to develop its structure. To preserve the natural characteristics of the fruit and the terroir, the domaine limits the use of new oak to between 15% and 30%. Finally, the wines are generally bottled without filtration to maintain their full aromatic profile.

TASTING & FOOD PAIRINGS 

It gives wealth and generosity without losing anything of the finesse and elegance of the Volnay always with good potential for guarding.

Best served with mushroom and truffle risotto, arugula and goat cheese salad.