Visit to Domaine Pierrick Bouley – Tasting the 2020 Vintage

It’s been some years since I visited Domaine Pierrick Bouley, and it is good to be back in this cool cellar in the centre of Volnay. I had tasted a few 2019s from Pierrick and they showed lovely promise. I was, therefore, eager to visit on my 2020 tasting round.

I am not planning to visit all growers, but I still have a few left before I will have completed my survey of 2020 Volnays.

Volnay is still in the more affordable category, meaning grey-market prices of Volnay village are not at 200€-500€, or even more – not yet at least.

Add to this the fact that Volnay (along with Côte de Nuits Villages) is one of the more exciting areas where growers produce enjoyable, drinkable wines. Amongst them is Pierrick Bouley, who has made big leaps in quality over the last few years.

Expectations for this tasting were high, and I was not disappointed, as Pierrick has produced some fresh, energetic wines from the 2020 vintage. They are on the elegant side – classic Volnay – and are refined and forward.

Let’s go!

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Domaine Pierrick Bouley Passetoutgrains 2020

The Passetoutgrains 2020 offers very good value, and I always enjoys a good passetoutgrains. The nose show fine, pure, red and dark fruit from the 70% pinot noir composition. It’s lively, with a perfumed scent of fresh forest berries. On the palate, this is fruity with typical, yet still surprising, fresh acidity and nice energy – refreshing. I see too few consumers embracing passetoutgrains; they are often an affordable treat. Cheers!

(Drink from 2022) – Good – Tasted 09/02/2022 –

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Domaine Pierrick Bouley Bourgogne Rouge 2020

The Bourgogne Rouge is quite a step up in refinement and purity from the Passetoutgrains (don’t forget the Passetoutgrains, however). The nose here offers delicate red fruit, expressive and brimming with freshness. This might only be a Bourgogne, but it shows its Volnay origins and joy.

(Drink from 2022) – Good – (86-87p) – Tasted 09/02/2022 –

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Domaine Pierrick Bouley Monthelie Aux Founereaux 2020

Another overlooked appellation is Monthelie, here in the form of the village Aux Founereaux, located above the village. The bouquet offers fresh, cool, red-berry fruit – this is from a cooler area than the core of Volnay. It has a lovely, rocky, mineral note that really shines with the cool fruit.

(Drink from 2022) – Very Good – (87-88p) – Tasted 09/02/2022 –

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Domaine Pierrick Bouley Volnay 2020

The Volnay village – 15 barrels – comes from different plots in Volnay, and is a seductive, juicy wine made with 20% new oak, and showing considerable hedonistic appeal. This is a classic, yet modern, Volnay, with low SO2 and hence a beautiful expression of fruit – it leaps from the glass. Not a big or complex wine, but rather a joy and pleasure.

(Drink from 2022) – Very Good – (88p) – 09/02/2022 –

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Domaine Pierrick Bouley Volnay Les Pluchots 2020

This is a step up in intensity and complexity. It has greater depth, supported by the 30% new oak. It’s vivid, and Pierrick’s use of oak is more nuanced and delicate these days. This is rocking with Volnay pleasure.

(Drink from 2029) – Very Good – (88-89p) – 09/02/2022 –

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Domaine Pierrick Bouley Pommard 2020

The Pommard village is elegant and delicate, yet intense and crystal clear, displaying the lovely minerality of the Pommard terroir. The 2020 vintage has tremendous balance and intensity, and for a Pommard village, this has quite a substantial stance.

(Drink from 2027) – Very Good – (88-89p) – 09/02/2022 –

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