Benjamin Leroux 'Volnay' 1er Cru Les Mitans 2021

‘Mitans’ derives from the old French for centre, and this is likely the source of the name as this Cru lies at the heart of the appellation (on the slopes beneath the village). Leroux’s 0.65-hectare parcel is close to the Volnay 1er Cru Clos de la Barre and encroaches into the Mitans l’Ormeau lieu-dit. The soil here is fine clay shot through with limestone, and the vines are, on average, 50 years old. There is just a pinch of whole bunch this year. Les Mitans is considered one of the most elegant, fine-boned and cerebral expressions of Volnay, and this is certainly the case with Leroux’s pretty 2021.

“Half a crop, 6 barrels made. Once again this is paler in colour. A pretty elegant bouquet, à la Volnay. Not huge in volume, a bit of strawberry, just enough fruit to reach the back, but one of the more delicate wines of the vintage, albeit persistent.”

Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy 89-91 Points