All wines purchased upon release, many purchased importer-direct, and all stored in a purpose built redundant temperature and humidity controlled cellar.

The 2022 Domaine François Buffet Volnay 1er Cru "Clos des Chênes" is a spectacular, critically acclaimed masterpiece for the estate. Benefiting from the excellent concentration of the warm yet beautifully balanced 2022 Burgundy vintage, this wine is widely considered by top critics to be one of the absolute finest Volnays in Buffet's entire portfolio.

• Vineyard: Buffet owns three distinct parcels in this premier cru totaling nearly a hectare—two situated on the flatter plateau and one on the steeper, chalky marl slope. The core blend relies heavily on magnificent 80-year-old vines.
• Vinification: Grapes are hand-picked and fermented natively utilizing one-third whole clusters (whole bunches) to inject high-toned aromatic lift, herbal complexity, and effortless freshness.
• Maturation: Matured for 18 months in French oak barrels to perfectly refine its dense, velvety framework.

Decanter / Charles Curtis MW (95 Points)

Buffet owns three parcels in the Clos des Chênes that total nearly a hectare. Two are on the relatively flat part, and one is on the slope. Marc-Olivier Buffet ferments one-third of the grapes as whole clusters to produce this balanced, elegant wine with a winning aroma of wild strawberries, violets, and spice. The texture is fresh and lively with acidity; there is enough tannin to drive this to a lingering finish. With the Taillepieds, this is among the best of the Volnays from this address. (Drink between 2025-2050) (CC)

Vinous / Neal Martin (92–94 Points)

The 2022 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru also contains one-third whole bunches. There is a much stronger marine influence here, oyster shells and brambly red fruit, vibrant and well delineated. The well-balanced palate is taut and fresh, with fine-grain tannins, very pure, with that subtle marine influence directing the finish. Very persistent, this is a superb Clos des Chênes. (Drink between 2026-2048) (NM)

Burghound / Allen Meadows (91–94 Points

Here too the nose reflects pretty floral hints to the ripe and fresh black fruit scents. There is more power though not more density to the slightly bigger flavors that possess a similar level of minerality on the impressive long and even firmer finale. Unlike several of the wines in the range that could be reasonably approached young, this isn't one of them. (Drink starting 2034) (AM)