Coche-Dury produces some of the very greatest white wines coming out of Burgundy, which have even achieved cult status. The ingredients at the root of this success are mostly no secret, they also apply to several other producers of exceptional wines: prime vineyard land, constant work in vineyard and cellars, and rigorous yield limitation. However in Jean-François Coche-Dury’s case they are taken to a level of perfection which would appear difficult to equal.

The Hospices de Beaune has taken place on the third weekend in November every year since 1859. It is the world’s most famous charity wine auction and it happens in the beating heart of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or: the town of Beaune. The auction exists to raise money to support the Hospices’ charitable efforts. 

All the Volnay cuvées had gone through their malolactic fermentation at the time of tasting, and this cuvée was harder to judge than most. It was in fact the first to be picked as the grapes had ripened very well in their respective vineyards. Bright purple in colour, the nose has some post-malolactic green apple notes. There is also lively raspberry fruit, excellent intensity, but the overall composition of the wine is a little bit hard to judge.