Baillot Volnay 1er Mitans 2022

Arnaud Baillot is a bit of an anomaly in Burgundy – he has no family connection to wine or the region, and has only been making wine for six years. His wife Laure is of a storied Burgundian family (Hudelot-Noëllat), but they have short winemaking experience and almost zero reviews. And since a hidden gem is the perpetual pursuit of all importers, we squeezed an appointment in late in the afternoon of our final tasting day this spring — we’re certainly glad we did.

The Volnay 1er cru Mitans 2022 is everything in the village wine, but more so. Mitans is on the northern side of Volnay, near the Pommard border. It produces intense, concentrated wines full of compact fruit and character. Baillot’s is bold and beautiful, with beautiful spice elements in the nose (cinnamon, clove) alongside violets and cassis. As with all of Baillot’s wines, the oak is minimal and perfectly integrated. This will reward a few years’ patience beautifully.