Belland Volnay 1er cru “Santenots” 2020

Roger and Julie Belland are 5th and 6th generation growers in Santenay — their wines are perennial favorites among our readers, offering early drinking and friendly pricetags. Belland’s are always delicious and precocious, but in 2020 they’re even better than usual.

This shows Volnay’s signature silky tannins, and a long, lush finish. Belland fermented this wine with 100% whole cluster this year to provide definition to the concentrated fruit, and the wine is perfectly balanced. Burghound called it “rich, seductively textured and velvety.” We were struck by the complex aromas of dark fruit and spice, and as usual were impressed with its elegance.