Domaine Pascal Mure, Volnay
Volnay is a very quiet village with some 300 inhabitants, located at the top of its vineyards. We often bring food and wine for lunch and take the steep street up to the top of the hill upon which Volnay is placed. From here you have a panoramic view towards the Alpes.
Several fine and dedicated growers exist in Volnay, but since they mostly are renowned, bargains are difficult to find. Looking for vignerons outside the village, who own vines in the appellation, might be a possibility! One good example is Eric Boussey in Monthelier.
Volnay marks the end of the major red winemaking appellations of Côte d’Or. After Volnay the chardonnay grape takes priority until one reaches Santernay. The wines of Volnay in Côte de Beaune are the equivalent of those of Chambolle in Côte de Nuits. They are generally characterized as wines of charm, delicacy and feminine grace, although Les Caillerets and Les Champans are more structured, tannic and very ageworthy. Several geologically distinct sections exist, adding to the diversity of the Volnay wines.
Reasonably priced Volnay of good quality is difficult to track. However, in 2011 we came across Domaine Pascal Mure, a family domaine of 9 hectares, including 14 appelations. In addition to the Volnay PC, Carelle sous la Chapelle, planted on hard marls with a high proportion of white chalk, similar to those of the village centre, Clos des Ducs, Bousse d’Or, Le Village and Taillepieds, resulting in vigour and finesse, they also make good Volnay village. Vineyeards in Monthelie include the rare PC, Les Cas Rougeot and La Taupine (blanc), in addition to village Monthelie. The possessions in Pommard also include PC (Les Jarollières) and village vines. Beaune vines include Les Beaux-Fougets, bordering PC Les Epenotes and Les Boucherottes. Finally, the domaine also makes Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune and Bourgogne. The whites include Hautes Côtes de Beaune, Bourgogne and Bourgogne Aligoté, in addition to Crémant.
Our selections from this recommendable domaine include the Volnay wines.