Sylvain Debord Volnay Vieilles Vignes 2022
A silky and perfumed old-vine Volnay, showing classic raspberry and violet tones, with refined tannins and a long, elegant finish.
The grapes come from two plots within the Volnay appellation. The hillside slopes are around a 2% gradient and face south which benefit from the afternoon sun which encourages ripening. The old vines are gown in complex, stony deep clay and limestone soils and are densely planted. Cultivated according to the traditional methods, they are maintained with a large and aerated canopy for sun protection in the warmer vintages of late. They are sustainably farmed with practices such as using fresh compost from local farms to nourish the vines. General treatments include copper and sulphur, and mechanical ploughing takes place to maintain the vineyard soils. Hand harvested at optimum maturity.
Vinified following a philosophy of minimal intervention. Fermentation took place with 30% whole bunch fruit which added complexity and wild yeasts in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks lasting three weeks. Pump-overs took place by gravity and punch down was in the traditional manner by foot. Vinification took place without a cold soak, however the temperature was increased for the final part of fermentation. 100% maturation for 12 months in 228-litre barriques from a blend of forests in Central France, with 30% new oak, 70% second use.
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Alcoholic strength | 12.5% |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| Subregion | Volnay |
| Grapes | Pinot Noir 100% |
| Body | B |
| Contains sulphites | Yes |
| Vegetarian | Yes |
| Vegan | Yes |
| Milk | No |
| Eggs | No |
| Organic | No |
| Biodynamic | No |
| Closure | Diam |
Sylvain Debord is Burgundian by birth and by heart. He studied at the Lycée Viticole de Beaune in 1991, where he met many talented winegrowers including Nicolas Potel with whom he has worked since 2006. From 1994, Sylvain studied at the University of Burgundy, where he contributed to several technical research projects which continued into the 2000s. At the same time, he managed the UB Experimental Viticultural Centre in Marsannay-la-Côte, with which he still maintains regular contact. Sylvain is passionate about respecting the natural environment, cultural environments and conserving the land for future generations and he vinifies grapes from his close network of vineyard partners, which covers a mosaic of vineyards and appellations. He uses a minimalist and refined approach to produce his signature style and his wines are elegant, pure and fresh.
