A figurehead for Patrimonio, and one of the most charismatic Corsican winegrowers, Antoine Arena produces wines of extraordinary precision. He has managed the property since 1980 (which originally only consisted of three hectares of vines) and was joined by his sons Jean-Baptiste and Antoine-Marie in 2004. The vineyard now covers 11 hectares, with red (Nielluccio) and white grapes (Vermentino, Bianco Gentile and Muscat à Petits Grains for the sweet wines). No chemical fertilizers or herbicides are used; and in the winery, the most natural techniques possible are employed. The Arena''s philosophy, besides the careful observation and ploughing of the soil, is to bring out the best in their terroir; to accomplish this, a plot by plot approach is taken. The vineyard is managed according to biodynamic principles and has AB organic certification.

The Volnay appellation sits at the heart of the Côte de Beaune and has been renowned for the finesse of its red wines since the Middle Ages. Among its treasures is Clos de la Barre, a historic monopole of the Lafon family and one of the appellation’s emblematic sites. The climat enjoys ideal exposure and well-drained clay-limestone soils that give Pinot Noir its signature ethereal elegance and precision. The clay provides depth and substance, while the limestone sharpens freshness and fine-grained tannins. At Domaine Olivier Leflaive, the grapes are hand-harvested with meticulously sorted. Fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with gentle punch-downs to extract colour and structure without excess. The wine is then aged for around 16 months in oak casks, including a proportion of new oak.
In the glass, the wine displays an intense ruby hue with garnet glints. The nose is alluring, with violet, red and black berries, sweet spice and a subtle hint of oak. The palate is silky and finely balanced, combining intensity with lift, carried by elegant tannins, a pronounced mineral backbone and a long, refined finish.