The 2023 Louis Billard Volnay Magnum is an expressive 100% Pinot Noir from Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune, presented in a 1500ml bottle, equivalent to two standard bottles. A fifth-generation winegrower, Louis launched his own label with the 2022 vintage, following experience at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti, Domaine Georges Roumier and Australia’s By Farr. His 2023 Volnay comes from vines around 35 years old on clay-limestone soils. Production was small: the importer records 1,560 standard bottles and just 120 magnums, making this format a particularly distinctive opportunity to explore an emerging Burgundy producer.
The 2023 offers red cherry, wild strawberry and floral notes, accompanied by gentle earthiness and spice. Contemporary merchant descriptions highlight its silky tannins, fresh acidity and graceful finish. The wine was fermented in concrete and matured for 14 months in oak barrels, approximately 20% new, followed by two months in stainless steel. This gives the fruit a framework of texture and subtle oak complexity, while allowing Volnay’s aromatic character to remain prominent. Still young, it should benefit from time for its fruit, tannins and barrel influence to come together, particularly in the larger Magnum format.
