Volnay, Santenots-du-Milieu is a 22.36-hectare Premier Cru climat situated within the appellation Santenots. Santenots is physically located within the commune of Meursault (although adjacent to Volnay), but is by law entitled to use the appellation Volnay, Santenots. Thus, although the vineyards are actually in Meursault, the wines are entitled to be called Volnay. The reason for this apparent anomaly is that the red clay soil in Santenots has long been viewed as better suited for Pinot Noir than Chardonnay, and the appellation Volnay is much better known for red Burgundy than is Meursault.
The best section of Santenots is Santenots-du-Milieu, having been classified by Dr. Lavalle as tête de cuvée. At an elevation of 240-280 meters, Santenots-du-Milieu faces southeast on soil shallow, red, heavy clay soil, above a subsoil of Bathonian limestone. The wines are deep in colour, rich and sturdy, with deep tannins , and, if somewhat lacking in the elegance of characteristic of the best Volnay, is lush and supple.
Excellent examples of Santenots-du-Milieu are made by Domaine Mikulski and Domaine des Comtes Lafon. In fact, the parcels of these two winemakers formed a single vineyard in the first part of the twentieth century until it was split and sold off to the grandfathers of Franςois Mikulski and Dominique Lafon.
Jockovino 