2006 Volnay Village

"A very good, charming vintage," said Frederic Lafarge of 2006. "It was a vintage made in the vines. The level of ripeness and the sanitary conditions made all the difference. Those who had to do a lot of sorting had problems." The premier crus are in the 13% alcohol range without chaptalization. Interestingly, Lafarge told me that pHs and crop levels were similar in 2006 and 2005 (around 3.5 and 35-38 h/h, respectively). "But you can't compare '06 to '05 in power, density or length," he said. "Still, in five or six years the '06s will be the better vintage to drink." The 2005s here have turned out fabulously. "Two thousand five was a year that agrees with Volnay, because in this village we're less likely to have made overly fleshy, powerful wines. Pommard is much more muscular in 2005." (A Becky Wasserman Selection, imported by Martin-Scott Wines, Ltd., Lake Success, NY; Wines Unlimited, New Orleans, LA; Vinalia Imports, Camarillo, CA)