A little bit of greenness on the blackberry, smoky nose. The palate is very cohesive, balanced and "natural". Touch of liquorish, damp earth and white pepper. A really lovely wine.

Quintessential Volnay red fruit aromas of simply superb elegance waft from the glass to reveal precise, pure and firm middle weight flavors that offer stunning depth and outstanding length. Champans can often be the Corton of Volnay yet this is unusually elegant and fine. A first rate example of the vineyard. Drink 2009-20

Bright, deep red. Black raspberry, black cherry, flowers, licorice and spices on the nose. A step up from the Fremiets in intensity and shape, with the spice character lifting the wine's fruit. This boasts lovely purity and grip, as well as more obvious tannic backbone that calls for at least four or five years of additional bottle aging. Today, this is quite vertical, while the Fremiets is more horizontal.

Sporting a slightly dark color, the spicy red cherry-scented 2002 Volnay Champans reveals a medium-bodied character loaded with flavorful red currants, raspberries, and cherries. Its firm finish and high-toned style will require moderate patience. Projected maturity: 2007-2014. Importer: Diageo Chateau and Estate Wines Company., New York, NY; tel. (212) 419-1400

Bright transparent ruby. Slightly agricultural nose with some tannin still in evidence. Firm and with no hurry to drink – very unlike most 2002 burgundies! Very firm. (JR)