2014 Hospices de Beaune Cuvée Général Muteau Volnay Premier Cru

Hospices de Beaune Volnay Premier Cru Cuvée Général Muteau 2014

Volnay is known as the most elegant red wine of the Côte de Beaune. Not a wine for showmanship, but for refinement and suppleness. The Cuvée Général Muteau from the Hospices de Beaune is a wonderful example. Made with grapes from several Premier Cru vineyards in Volnay, and hand-picked for the annual auction of the famous hospital in Beaune. The 2014 is now perfectly ripe and demonstrates how beautifully Volnay can age without losing its charm.

Who was Général Muteau?

The cuvée bears the name of General Étienne Muteau, a 19th-century benefactor who bequeathed his vineyards to the Hospices de Beaune. His donation still forms the basis for this wine. These are Premier Cru plots in Volnay, with an average age of over 40 years. Low yields, high concentration – and always harvested entirely by hand.

The wine is sold annually by the barrel at the Hospices de Beaune auction, after which an "éleveur" (wine producer) handles the further maturation and bottling. Each bottle is therefore the result of two hands: the Hospices' historic vineyard and the bottler who matured the barrel.

The Volnay style: elegance above all

Volnay lies just south of Pommard, but produces very different wines. While Pommard is robust and structured, Volnay is more light-footed, with fine acidity, floral notes, and soft tannins. Think red berries, violets, cherries, and a hint of spice. The Cuvée Général Muteau comes from Premier Cru vineyards perfectly situated on limestone-rich clay slopes – ideal for finely crafted Pinot Noir.

2014: a classic Burgundy year with a fresh style

2014 was a relatively cool year in Burgundy, with a classic ripening curve. No extreme heat, but long, even ripening. This produces wines with fresh acidity, pure fruit, and relatively low alcohol. Exactly what you want with a style like Volnay. The 2014 Cuvée Général Muteau is now beautifully balanced: the fruit is still vibrant, but has already gained depth from bottle aging.

In the glass, you see a bright, ruby-red color with a light rim. On the nose: red fruit, rose petals, subtle wood, and earthy undertones. On the palate: light yet layered, with silky tannins and a long, elegant finish. This wine doesn't impress with power, but with finesse. You keep smelling and tasting it.

What do you eat at Volnay Premier Cru?

This wine pairs perfectly with dishes that require a touch of subtlety. Think quail, pigeon, veal with a light jus, or a risotto with wild mushrooms. It also pairs beautifully with game dishes that require a delicate preparation—such as hare with spices or partridge with lentils. Prefer something simple? Try it with roasted vegetables, lentil stew, or a delicious mushroom omelet.

Serve slightly below room temperature (around 16 degrees Celsius) in a large Burgundy glass. Letting the wine breathe open will benefit it. It's at its peak now, but it can easily age for a few more years.

Why is this cuvée so rare?

The wines of the Hospices de Beaune are sold only once a year, by the barrel, at the auction in November. This means each barrel is unique – and the wines are rarely found in large quantities. Moreover, the Cuvée Général Muteau is one of the Hospices' more famous red cuvées, which means it is in high demand. The combination of Premier Cru status, historical provenance, and bottle aging makes this a truly collectible wine.

At Grandcruwijnen, we were able to acquire this wine through a trusted elevage partner, who carefully aged and bottled the barrel. The wine comes directly from a controlled storage facility and is available in limited quantities. Each bottle bears the hallmark of the Hospices de Beaune and the bottler – a piece of Burgundian history in your cellar.

Would you like to order Hospices de Beaune Volnay 2014 online?

Order the 2014 Volnay Premier Cru Cuvée Général Muteau from the Hospices de Beaune exclusively from Grandcruwijnen. The bottles are stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, so they're kept under optimal conditions. Pick them up in Dordrecht? You can, and you'll receive an immediate discount on your order. This discount will automatically appear when you select "Pick up" at checkout.