Clos de la Chapelle Volnay Taillepieds Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru 2020 (750ML)

95 WS / 94 BH / 94 JG / 93 VM / 91-94 JM

A taut, dense red highlighted by a floral element, casting a violet note along with black currant, blackberry, spice and mineral flavors. Featuring a firm yet refined structure, this lingers on the fruit-, spice- and mineral-tinged aftertaste. Best from 2027 through 2045. 30 cases imported.--B.S, Wine Spectator

Tasting note: A deft application of wood sets off ripe and fresh aromas of violet, black berry liqueur and a beautiful array of spice elements. There is excellent punch and delineation to the chiseled and intensely mineral-driven medium weight flavors that possess the innately refined texture of a fine Taillepieds, all wrapped in a moderately austere, sleek and strikingly long finale. This concentrated effort is very classy juice that should amply reward 10 to 12 years of keeping. Sweet Spot. Outstanding.—Allen Meadows, Burghound

The 2020 Taillepieds from Domaine Clos de la Chapelle is another beautifully sappy, soildriven example of the vintage. The bouquet jumps from the glass in a complex blend of black cherries, sweet cassis, dark soil tones, violets, pigeon, coffee bean, a deft touch of oak and plenty of smokiness in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, pure and full, with a beautiful core of black fruit, great transparency and grip, buried tannins and a long, tangy and beautifully balanced finish. Usually this is neck and neck with the Clos de la Chapelle bottling, but in 2020, I have to give a slight nod to the Taillepieds for its utterly seamless beauty. 2035-2085. 94 points.--John Gilman

The 2020 Volnay Taillepieds Vieilles Vignes 1er Cru, which comes from vines planted in the 1950s, has much more complexity than the En Carelle with exotic touches of sloe and mint entwined with the red fruit. Good delineation. The palate is medium-bodied with caressing tannins, fine concentration, very harmonious with a grippy finish. This my the pick from the Domaine's wines this year.--Neal Martin, Vinous Media

Just the old vines. Dense black purple. There is a wealth of ripe fruit just being hinted at on the nose, how will it emerge? Too dark, or just beautifully concentrated? Actually, this will be lovely for those who enjoy the riper profile, and it has not lost its balance. The Taillepieds underwent a later malolactic fermentation which is keeping the wine backward and reserved, but the potential is certainly there. Tasted: October 2021.—Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy