Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay Premier Cru Les Caillerets

Wine Information 
Size: 0.28 ha (0.69 ac)
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vine Age: Planted in 1957
Terroir: Very gentle slope facing east. Moderately deep to shallow, reddish brown, clay soils on limestone. 275-meters elevation.
Viticulture: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter)
Vinification: 100% de-stemmed, indigenous yeast fermentation, 15% new oak, unfined, unfiltered.

Etymology: The words, Cail or Chail are frequently used in Burgundy to describe stony soils. They stem from a Gallic word CAL-YO (caillou) meaning stone or stony slope.

Source: The Climats and Lieux-Dits of the Great Vineyards of Burgundy, Marie-Hélène Landrieu-Lussigny.

Site: Les Caillerets is located approximately 1 km south of Volnay on the lower portion of the slope. It sits at approximately 275-meters elevation. The slope is very gentle to flat with some small undulations within the walls of the Lafarge parcel. It faces just south of east.

Soil: The soils of Les Caillerets are approximately 40 cm deep. They are reddish-brown, very dense, and clay-rich. The vineyard is very rocky with up to 40% small (gravel to cobble sized) poorly-sorted limestone stones on the surface.

Lafarge Parcel: The Lafarge parcel of Les Caillerets is very unique because it is surrounded by walls that influence the small undulations in the topography and contributes to the quiet, peaceful atmosphere. Frédéric believes that the minerality of this terroir is what makes it one of the greatest terroirs of Volnay—salty, lingering, and energetic. Because Les Caillerets is made in an almost identical fashion to Les Mitans, these two wines provide a good opportunity to taste the terroirs.