September 25th: Domaine François Buffet - Wines from Volnay with Nick Jackson MW
At Vinonueva | 5582 NE 4th Ct, Miami, FL, 33137 | 7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Click HERE to get your tickets
In partnership with Crescendo Wines.
We're diving into Volnay with wines from François Buffet that have just arrived at Vinonueva, and what better way to introduce them than with a tasting led by Nick Jackson MW? Each tasting we've done has had its own unique twist, and this one is no different.
We're pleased to welcome Nick Jackson MW for this tasting. Nick is a Master of Wine, one of the most prestigious qualifications in the wine world, and the author of the influential guide Beyond Flavour. After seven years with Sotheby's Wine in London and New York, Nick, originally from the UK, moved to Florida in 2020. He is one of just two Masters of Wine in Florida.
Nick Jackson | Photo credits: Crescendo Wines
BACKGROUND
François Buffet is an organically farmed estate in the heart of Volnay, crafting elegant, aromatic reds with that classic Burgundian finesse. This estate has deep roots, going back to 1692 when their ancestor, Claude Buffet, first settled in Volnay, having moved from nearby Pommard. Today, Marc-Olivier Buffet, his grandson, is the seventh generation of the family, and he continues the tradition, taking over the reins of the estate in 2005. Buffet has some seriously prime vineyard plots, not just in Volnay but also in Pommard, Savigny, and Pernand-Vergelesses, producing beautiful wines that are surprisingly well-priced for their quality.
Marc-Olivier Buffet | Photo Credits: Domaine François Buffet
Marc-Olivier is all about keeping his vineyards healthy and has fully embraced organic farming, even earning certification. He also incorporates some biodynamic practices where it makes sense and still plows his vineyards with horses, keeping things as natural as possible.
Photo Credits: Domaine François Buffet
When it comes to winemaking, Marc-Olivier doesn't stick to a strict formula. He adjusts his approach depending on the vintage, tweaking things like extraction, how much stems to use, and how long the wine stays in the cask.
Now, as for the style of these wines, you can always count on them being classically Volnay. Think red fruit aromas, medium body, silky tannins, and a long, aromatic finish. But don't be fooled by their finesse – these wines have great aging potential. Take the Clos des Chênes, for example, the domaine's largest holding at 1 hectare; this Premier Cru has the structure and concentration to age beautifully for up to 20 years.
The estate is located in the center of Volnay, just off the Place de l'Eglise, with a traditional stone cellar for aging their wines.
Photo Credits: Domaine François Buffet
Photo Credits: Domaine François Buffet
Jasper Morris has described the wines as 'elegant, perfumed, and complex,' noting that the Pommards from François Buffet are right up there with the Volnays in terms of quality. Unfortunately, we won't be tasting the Pommards this time around – sorry, that'll have to wait until next time! But don't worry, we've got something just as exciting lined up.
Photo Credits: Domaine François Buffet
We'll be tasting the Volnay 1er Cru' Clos des Chênes' 2014. Now, in Volnay, there's no Grand Cru, so 1er Cru is as good as it gets. And let us tell you, Clos des Chênes is one of the top sites in the region, often regarded as one of the finest expressions of Volnay. Not only that, but we're lucky enough to taste the 2014 vintage, a special library release straight from the producer's cellar.
Continuing with what we'll be tasting, this lineup takes us from regional wines to 1er Cru, focusing on Volnay. Volnay wines used to be known as some of the lightest in the Côte de Beaune. These days, though, Volnay can come in a range of styles, depending on the winemaker's choices. The ideal Volnay should still have that delicate touch but with more color and flavor concentration. It's a wine that's the opposite of powerful, firm, and tannic – instead, it should be elegant, refined, and full of subtle complexity.
Check out the lineup for this tasting:
- Domaine François Buffet - Bourgogne Côte d'Or 'Pinot Noir' 2023
- Domaine François Buffet - Volnay 2022
- Domaine François Buffet - Volnay 1er Cru 'Carelle Sous la Chapelle' 2022
- Domaine François Buffet - Volnay 1er Cru 'Clos des Chênes' 2014
Nick Jackson MW - Intro to tasting