2004 Volnay Les Caillerets 1er Cru

Renaud de Villette was hardly the only winemaker in Volnay who had not figured out how the conditions of 2004, and the high crop levels of the year, could produce fruit with potential alcohol of 13. 5% and up-higher than in 2003. In fact, noted Villette, the Volnay Fremiet was more affected by hail than the estate's other premier crus, but even here the grapes ripened despite the damage to the foliage. Even after doing a green harvest, the estate produced 39 hectoliters per hectare (compared to 22 in '03), high by the standards of this domain, due to large grapes and large bunches. Early on, Villette said, the wines' acids and tannins were in opposition. But with the late malos, most of which ended in August and September, they are now coming into harmony.