The domaine has an impressive portfolio of vineyards with several Grands Crus and the revered Premier Cru of Les Suchots. The Confurons have always taken the greatest care in the vineyards, performing their own massale selection of vines (ie selecting and using the healthiest plants for propagation), which are on average 65 years old. Unusually for Burgundy, their vineyards have never been treated with herbicides or pesticides, and the vine roots penetrate deep into the soils, giving the grapes a minerality that defines our terroir.

DOMAINE DE CHATEAU DE MEURSAULT 1er Cru Clos de Chenes , Volnay

DOMAINE MICHELE & PATRICE RION Clos des Argillieres, 1er Cru , Nuits-St-Georges

Pegasus Bay have about a dozen different clones of Pinot Noir. With their original plantings, these grow intermingled throughout the various blocks. The vines, many of which are nearly 30 years old and on their own roots, grow on a series of north facing, gradually descending terraces. Traditional Burgundian winemaking methods are used. Bright ruby colour. Its generous aromas and flavours dark cherries, blackberries, raspberries and mulberries, suffused with chocolate mocha and spice. There is an underlying savoury character, suggesting grilled meats and mushrooms with a hint of black olive tapenade. It is seductively light on entry but rapidly expands on the palate to become rich and mouth filling, while retaining elegance and poise. Silky tannins help draw out its lingering aftertaste.

Fine-boned and elegant, this Volnay shows the delicacy and lightness of touch for which the commune is renowned. Nicolas Rossignols low-interventionist winemaking philosophy ensures the full potential of the fruit and the commune is consistently expressed in the final wine.

Thomas Bouley is very much the insiders secret, more famous with his fellow vignerons than with collectors chasing the next 'superstar' seen on social media. That Thomas resists putting his name on the front label of his wines (preferring to keep his father's) is typical of his humble and low key approach. Based in Volnay may also add to his relative anonymity, however we suspect this is changing rapidly as word gets out of just how spectacular his wines are, and of the continual improvement seen since he began working with his father in the early 2000's. Meticulous attention to detail in both the vineyard and winery are notable here, and key to why Thomas is so highly regarded by his peers. Yields are moderate, and in the cellar whole cluster ferments are used more with his clay rich sites (Pommard Fremiers, Volnay Clos des Chenes), while those with thin white soils (Pommard Rugiens-Hauts, Volnay Caillerets) are largely destemmed. New oak use is minimal, and each wine spend two winters on fine lees before bottling.