Francois Mikulski Volnay 1er Santenots du Milieu 2020

François Mikulski is best known for his benchmark Meursaults, but his Volnay Santenots du Milieu is equally compelling — and for those who know the site, the name alone is a call to attention. The 0.9-hectare parcel includes vines planted in 1947, grown organically on brown silt over fractured bedrock in the heart of the premier cru. Destemmed, fermented with ambient yeast, and aged 14 months in 35% new oak, it expresses the quintessential character of Volnay: roses and peonies on the nose, raspberry and cherry on a supple, elegant palate, finishing with great length and structure. Both the 2020 and 2021 vintages are serious, cellar-worthy expressions of the site.

Food Pairing: Roast lamb with herbs, duck confit, mushroom risotto, rabbit with mustard, soft-ripened Burgundy cheeses.