It's been a while since I had a Volnay, so I opened this bottle tonight with dinner. Served with proscuitto-spinach rolled into chicken breasts (I know there's a name for this dish), risotto and sauteed broccoli in olive oil and garlic. A nice pairing, I might add.

Jean Boillot 2002 Volnay 1er Cru Les Fremiets (Volnay, $50)

Deep aromas of cherries - a bit reductive, but nice notes of sous bois, pine and a hint of menthol as well. On the palate, a nice elegant wine that filled out about two hours after opening. Lacks a little of the grace and focus that I usually look for in a good Volnay, but a good wine nonetheless. 90 points.

Bingo - I think you are right.

saltimbocca around here is usually mozzarella and prosciutto in a wine sauce. The versions here don't have broccoli or risotto. Hey, it's just a name!

I think the broccoli or risotto were just side dishes. But anyway... you make it with mozzarella in the US? That's interesting... I can't imagine how. Oops, I think I'm highjacking this thread! I better go to the Food Pairing section.

Yes, they were side dishes.

And back to the point of the thread - the wine was good. Have a little left for tonight to try.

After having picked up a mixed case of 02 Fremeits and Chevrets, I popped a bottle of the Fremeits for a test run last night. First of all, the bottles that I have acquired all have soft corks that are slightly depressed with bulging capsules with a bit of wine under them. I was initially disturbed by this but the first bottle of Chevrets I opened was very good and I have determined that these wines are the result of overfilling but not damage. The question is...were they over-filled by Boillot or some fool running a scam? The reason I pose this is because the wine is so ripe and fleshy, filled with red fruits, bright raspberries, jam, cassis and not much Volnay character. As delicious as it was, one would think that this wine would be quite shut down, yet it was wide open immediately. Where is the firmness of the Cotes de Beaune, the pepper, the garrigue? It was long, tasty and I'm glad I have 5 more bottles. But do I have the real deal? As I read Jaime's note, I think I might, but maybe this vintage is a bit of an anomoly. I've had this wine in other vintages and it was much different; even in 1999 which is a vintage which should have similar ripeness.

Thoughts?

jb

Interesting. CellarTracker notes are not much help but Tanzer's initial and follow-up reviews might be. Some hints in bold. It is 6 years post-vintage so some of the wines (in the 02 ripe vintage) may be starting to open up or never shut down.

As long as it tasted good no worries unless they are damaged.

Domaine Jean Boillot Volnay Les Fremiets) (60% new oak) Deep, low-pitched aromas of black cherry, mocha, coffee, roasted game and smoke. Sweet and smooth but with lovely vinosity. Still, this is a bit of an introvert today. Superripe, even slightly roasted , and relying more on its youthfully aggressive tannins than on its acidity for structure. Very long and reticent on the back end. (91-93) points

(Domaine Jean Boillot Volnay Les Fremiets) (14% alcohol) Bright, full red. Minerally aromas of cherry, smoke, game and menthol.Fat and ripe but youthfully backward and showing less obvious sweetness than the Chevrets. But this structured, juicy wine shows excellent mineral lift and carries its substantial alcohol gracefully. Finishes long and firm, with nicely buffered tannins. 91(+?) points

jb - a very interesting revisting of this wine. I haven't tasted or purchased a Jean Boillot wine since this tasting note for the exact reason that I didn't enjoy the style and think it true to the Volnay terroir. And I don't think all 2002 Volnays are shut down right now. I had a great bottle of Monthélie-Douhairet Porcheret 1er Cru Champans that was complex, elegant and open for business recently.

After more contemplation and tasting it again the next day, the wine seems legit to me. There was more of the characteristics I associate with Volnay apparent on Day 2. Regardless, it's a very delicious wine and I'm happy I have 5 more to watch evolve over time.

By the way, Jaime, my Yankees are putting it to your Mariners tonight. We still suck, however.

jb

jb, you can thank me and my team for turning your season around - this is the sorriest bunch of Mariners I've seen play since I started following baseball in 1995.