Professional Reviews
Burghound
BH
94
"A slightly more restrained nose grudgingly offers up its aromas of red currant, floral, spice and vaguely garrigue-like wisps. There is outstanding intensity to the slightly bigger and more powerful yet still gorgeously textured flavors that also exhibit a borderline pungent minerality that seems to build on the compact, serious and youthfully austere finish that displays stunningly good length. As is virtually always the case with Clos des Ducs, extended patience will absolutely be necessary."
Antonio Galloni
AG
94
"The 2021 Volnay Clos des Ducs 1er Cru, whose illustrious pedigree did not preclude it from frost damage, nevertheless has a distinctive nose that seems anomalous to d'Angerville's other crus: darker fruit, much more marine-influenced, to the point where you would imagine there might be stems (it is 100% de-stemmed like the other crus). The palate is very well structured, edgier than the Champans, more saline with modest grip towards the slightly saturnine finish. This will require 3-4 years in bottle. Excellent, somehow a bit…enigmatic." -Vinous
Robert Parker
RP
94
"The 2021 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Ducs is more reserved than the Champans, unwinding to reveal scents of plums, wild berries, vine smoke, spices and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, ample and seamless, with powdery tannins and excellent depth at the core, it's bright and perfumed, concluding with a long, saline finish." -Robert Parker
Jancis Robinson
JR
18
"Monopole. Quite an array of fruit and floral flavours here. With great concentration – but no obvious sweetness. Firm and rather majestic but also a bit monastic at the moment! Tannins are beautiful but definitely there."
Decanter
D
93
"The great savoury depth of the ’21 Clos des Ducs is immensely appealing. The initial impression is ripe plummy fruit with notes of earth and spice along with a bit of reduction as well that should disappear on racking. The texture has concentration and elegance; the ripe fruit character comes through on the palate, balanced by fresh acidity that drives the wine to a lengthy finish. The grapes from the 2.15-hectare monopole are destemmed and carefully fermented before ageing in cask (20% new)."
