WTN: 2013 Louis Boillot Volnay Les Brouillards

Last night's bottle of 2013 Louis Boillot Volnay Les Brouillards was in a pretty good zone for my tastes. Fresh and elegant rather than deep, perhaps as integrated as its going to get. A delicious light touch Volnay.

Of course I have no idea how it will evolve further, but I have been drinking several vintages of the Boillot Brouillards recently. 08 remains cranky and I'm not optimistic, 09 was also more fierce/linear Brouillards than juicy 09, and 14 was mixed from one bottle to the next. 12 was gorgeous and renewed my faith, which is why I'm thinking I should just grab these '13 pleasures while available.

[David M. Bueker]

I thought I had some Boillot, but it turns out it’s Voillot.

Even better! I have several Voillot Volnays and Pommards as well. Don't know them quite as well as the Boillot wines, and they are more expensive, but very good.

[David M. Bueker]

Maureen recommended that I buy it.

I think that's how I started with Voillot as well! And then we had an excellent visit in 2018.

Interesting note, Rahsaan. My only exposure to the wines of Boillot are with his Cote de Nuits bottlings, which I like quite a bit.

Interesting note, Rahsaan. My only exposure to the wines of Boillot are with his Cote de Nuits bottlings, which I like quite a bit.

Any ones in particular? I bought a pretty wide smattering over the years but also have a quite a bit of his Gevrey Champonnets across vintages, plus a few special bottles of the Cherbaudes that I should open soon. I go back and forth on whether I prefer his Brouillards or Champonnets, but I think they are similar quality level, just different styles.

Interesting note, Rahsaan. My only exposure to the wines of Boillot are with his Cote de Nuits bottlings, which I like quite a bit.

Any ones in particular? I bought a pretty wide smattering over the years but also have a quite a bit of his Gevrey Champonnets across vintages, plus a few special bottles of the Cherbaudes that I should open soon. I go back and forth on whether I prefer his Brouillards or Champonnets, but I think they are similar quality level, just different styles.

Gevrey Evocelles more than any other, though I have a couple of '14 Cote de Nuits from him, too.

Gevrey Evocelles more than any other, though I have a couple of '14 Cote de Nuits from him, too.

I've liked the Evocelles as well. Typically more straightforward and doesn't shut down as much as the Champonnet, but always depends on price/timing calculations.

He has a lot of vineyard parcels so I haven't had everything. But I was a big fan for a while, and slowed down as I see how they age and compare with other producers. They weren't always the most generously fruited, which was fine by me, but they have been a bit tough over time. Recent vintages may be different for all kinds of reasons.