Domaine Blain-Gagnard is a small 8.50-hectare domain established in 1980 when Jean-Marc Blain (who came from the Loire Valley) married Claudine Gagnard, daughter of Jacques and Marie-Josèphe Gagnard of Domaine Gagnard-Delagrange and from which they inherited some of their vineyards. While they make some red Chassagne-Montrachet, Volnay, and Pommard, it's their superb lineup of Chassagne premier cru and grand cru whites that the reputation of this Domaine is based.
Volnay is renowned for producing delicate, elegant, and graceful wines. The appellation spans 242ha of vineyards, of which 115ha is divided among 26 Premier Crus. Some of the most notable of these are Bousse d'Or, Champans, Clos des Ducs, Les Caillerets, and Santenots.
Volnay is often described as silky and elegant but the wines can vary in style depending on the soil and elevation of the vineyard. They have a high percentage of limestone and show the classic Volnay character of perfume and finesse. Les Pitures is robust and opulent with violet, plum, earth, and a subtle spiciness. Aged in neutral oak barrels.
This is also firmly reduced and unreadable today. Otherwise, there is impressive mid-palate density to the stony, muscular and serious middle-weight flavours that flash evident power on the decidedly firm and moderately austere finale. As is usually the case, this too will need to be left alone for at least a few years