(92-95 points) A notably ripe yet attractively fresh nose is comprised by notes of exuberantly floral, spice, plum liqueur and relatively prominent menthol influences. The wonderfully sleek, concentrated and intensely mineral-laden flavors possess the hallmark refinement of a fine Taillepieds, all wrapped in a very firmly structured but not really austere finale. With that said, this is a 'buy and forget you own it' wine for at least 10 years and it should ultimately need 20 to 25 years to fully mature.

Sourced from an 80-year-old vineyard of gravel over limestone, this is one of only a handful of de Montille reds that are fermented with 100% whole bunches. Spicy forest floor and tobacco pouch aromas lead you into a palate that is grippy, peppery and firm, with layers of red cherry and raspberry fruit embellished by 30% new wood.

(92-94 points) 100% whole cluster, racked and returned to barrel. Classy rich full red. The bouquet has gone reticent but this has a brilliant velvety texture and then a bit of steel at the finish. Very youthful and potentially exceptional.

(92 - 94+ points) Vinified entirely with whole clusters, de Montille's 2018 Volnay 1er Cru Les Taillepieds delivers a lovely bouquet of orange rind, dark berries, peonies, baking chocolate and sweet soil tones. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, this is a lively and serious wine, underpinned by a muscular chassis of rich, powdery tannin.- WK

The 2018 Volnay Les Taillepieds 1er Cru is better on the nose than its peers. Lifted blackberry, raspberry and sous-bois aromas become more floral with time in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red fruit and some stem addition that does not quite assimilate towards the finish, as if there are two Volnays competing in the same glass. That might resolve itself with time in bottle… we will see. Still an intriguing proposition. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2018 red tasting. -- Neal Martin