The 2000 Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Chateau des Ducs is drinking very well, offering up a pretty bouquet of black cherry, plum, truffle, dark chocolate and rose petal. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied and succulent, with a generous core of fruit and a broad attack, underpinned by firm but fine-grained structuring tannins that assert themselves on the back end. This stands out as a success in a challenging C?te de Beaune vintage.

The 2000 Volnay Clos du Chateau des Ducs was singing. Its mouth-watering nose of spiced black cherries leads to a broad, sensual, seamless palate crammed with cherries, fresh herbs, and stones. A harmonious, medium-bodied, lush wine, it is rich, expressive, and displays a long, supple finish. Projected maturity: now-2010. A Becky Wasserman Selection / Le Serbet; French Fax: 011-33-3-80-24-29-70, various American importers.