The 2015 Volnay Les Carelles Sous la Chapelle 1er Cru has a dense, backward, slightly broody bouquet at first, gradually opening to offer brambly blackberry, raspberry and light damp undergrowth aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with crisp acidity, slightly gritty texture and fine tension throughout, and impressive precision and penetration toward the energetic finish. This has a lot of potential. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.

Good medium red. Dark, musky nose conveys an impression of depth. Supple and ripe, with its red fruit flavors complicated by savory soil tones and saline minerality. Boasts a velvety texture not shown by any of the estate's 2016s but not at all overly sweet; in fact, this wine is rather reserved today and may be starting to shut down. The full, ripe tannins arrive late, allowing the wine's red fruit and mineral flavors to build. This has turned out well. (I did not taste the village Volnay or the Beaune Epenottes as they were sold out.)