Domaine de la Pousse d'Or - Santenay Clos Tavannes 1er Cru 2011

From La Bousse d’Or to Patrick Landanger, via the Dukes of Burgundy and Jacques-Marie Duvault-Blochet, this estate has been home to Burgundy’s great figures for more than eight centuries. One of them, Gérard Potel, brought out the best in Volnay’s wines from 1964 to 1997, until his sudden passing. Patrick Landanger, who acquired the estate in 1997, took personal charge of the cellars in 1999 to carry out a series of massive renovations, including a redesign of the fermentation facility, which now operates by gravity across six floors. Since then, the estate’s wines have continued to evolve toward the pinnacle of Volnay’s femininity and an incomparably silky mouthfeel. The recent addition of Chambolle-Musigny wines from the former Moine-Hudelot estate only confirms this trend.

Owned by Patrick Landanger since 1997, this renowned Volnay estate has vineyards in illustrious appellations: Corton, Puligny-Montrachet… In Santenay, he cultivates more than 2 hectares in the most renowned 1er Crus, such as this Clos Tavannes. With an intense purple color and violet highlights, the 2011 releases aromas of black cherry accented by hints of spice from fifteen months of barrel aging. Beautiful blackcurrant-and-raspberry fruit, velvety tannins, and a hint of licorice give it a charming texture, but patience is key—let this wine age in the cellar for at least two years. Pair it with a hare stew.

 

A magnificent estate in Volnay. La Pousse d'Or owes its revival to Patrick Landanger, who has devoted significant financial and human resources to restoring the reputation of this iconic estate. He is responsible for a considerable improvement in the winemaking facilities and the acquisition of new plots, particularly in the Côte de Nuits. The wines are all remarkable.