Domaine des Comtes Lafon - Volnay Santenots Du Milieu 2020

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Volnay wine is produced in the commune of Volnay in Côte de Beaune of Burgundy, and in some vineyards in the commune of Meursault. The Appellation d'origine contrôlée (AOC) Volnay is only used for red wine with pinot noir as the main grape variety. There are no Grand Cru vineyards within Volnay, but several highly regarded Premier Cru vineyards. The AOC was created in 1937 (87 years ago).

In 2008, there were 206.7 hectares (511 acres) of vineyard surface was in production for Volnay wine at village and Premier Cru level, and 7,733 hectoliter of wine was produced, corresponding to just over 1 million bottles.

The AOC regulations also allow up to 15% total of chardonnay, pinot blanc and pinot gris as accessory grapes in the red wines, but this not very often practiced. The allowed base yield is 40 hectoliter per hectare. The grapes must reach a maturity of at least 10.5% potential alcohol for village-level wine, and 11.0% for Premier Cru wine.

The style of Volnay wine is typically light and aromatic, and elegant rather than powerful, with considerably less tannin than the Pommard wines from the neighboring village.

3.78 hectares in multiple parcels purchased by Jules Lafon, Dominique's great grandfather and the founder of the domaine / Plantings in 1944, 1962, 1965, 1978, 1996, and 2002 / The soils are very rich in clay, yet shallow, on hard limestone bedrock. / The wines are dark in color, rich, and deep, with noticeable tannins but always elegant.

Domaine des Comtes Lafon Description

Domaine des Comtes Lafon has been in the Lafon family since 1865. Dominique Lafon took over the domaine in 1985. It is comprised of approximately 14 hectares situated in the communes of Volnay, Monthélie, Chassagne-Montrachet, and of course, Meursault, where the domaine and its monopole vineyard Clos de la Barre are located.

All the vineyards are cultivated biodynamically and they proudly own every Premier Cru in Meursault. Dominique retired at the end of 2021, handing over the reigns to his daughter, Léa and nephew, Pierre, who as part of the fifth generation of winemakers in the Lafon family, will continue this domaine’s superstar reputation not only in Burgundy but throughout the world.

“There are few growers anywhere in the world more committed to improving his vineyards with the aim of making ever better wine than Dominique Lafon. He tirelessly questions his and others’ methods, always looking to improve.” — DANIEL JOHNNES

Decanter: 97 Points

A monumental wine, with super-ripe black cherry and currant fruit accented with rose petals, liquorice, smoke and minerals. Dense and full-bodied in texture, yet vibrantly fresh and superbly long- a marvel. Anyone who thinks Lafon is only about white wine is missing this epic experience. Volnay Santenots is arguably among the top red wines of the Côte de Beaune, and Santenots-du-Milieu is the best portion of it (Lafon owns nearly half of this appellation). He destems the fruit, does a cold soak and punches down regularly before ageing in cask (one-third new).