Francois Buffet Volnay 'Champans' Premier Cru 2023
4.3
HK$765
750ml
Bottle
Vintage Character The 2023 Volnay 'Champans' Premier Cru comes from a Burgundy season that began with favourable flowering and plentiful fruit set, then moved through repeated summer showers into a sharp heatwave at the end of August. The heat briefly slowed ripening and compressed decisions at the start of the September harvest. Selection and temperature control mattered for Pinot Noir across the region. For Champans, a vineyard the estate associates with generosity and silky elegance, 2023 brings ample fruit and the need for balance. The year's ripeness makes the wine approachable, while the site's fine texture and a clean finishing line keep its Premier Cru distinction.
Tasting Profile & Food Pairing Red fruits and flowers are the domaine's stated aromatic reference for Champans. A 2023 glass shows ripe cherry, red plum and a rose-like accent, with a fuller middle palate than in cooler years. The dry palate opens with fruit, then the medium tannins settle into a smooth, lasting finish, at 13% alcohol. Roast chicken with herbs, veal or soft-rind cheese can partner its supple build without overwhelming it. Serve a little cooler than room temperature and let the wine change slowly in the glass, because excessive warmth can blur the precision that gives Volnay its appeal.
Winery Background Marc-Olivier Buffet leads a family domaine with roots in Volnay dating to 1692. Its Champans bottling is one of several distinct village Premiers Crus, described by the producer as round, floral, silky and capable of ageing. The estate works without herbicides and uses cover crops and compost, alongside biodynamic ideas on some plots as it moves towards organic growing. Harvest is by hand, and the wines are aged in oak in the old vaulted cellars beneath the village. These practices reflect a concern for living soils and for the differences among vineyards.