From: Mâcon, Burgundy, France
Varietal: Chardonnay
Taste & Critical Acclaim: This classic-styled Mâcon showcases vibrant apple, pear, and kiwi notes, complemented by hints of nuts and a touch of fresh bread crust on the nose. The wine offers a rounded texture on a medium-bodied palate, with a crisp acidity that provides great freshness and tension. It’s rocky earth and lemon-apple characteristics add to the good linear mineral expression, while the deeply textured and rich flavors have a buttery fruit finish.
“The entry-level wine from Lafon’s Mâconnais operation offers spectacular value. The bottling includes grapes from Viré-Clessé, Uchizy, Viré, Chardonnay, and Bussières, including grapes declassified from single-vineyard sites. The grapes are pressed as whole clusters and fermented in large, upright wooden foudres before aging for six months. Although the wine in 2022 did not have a lot of malic acid, it still has a lovely freshness and equilibrium.” 92 Points, Decanter
Pairing: Its crisp acidity and vibrant fruit notes make it an excellent match for seafood, particularly grilled or roasted fish, such as sea bass or halibut. It would also complement shellfish like oysters, scallops, and shrimp. For a richer pairing, consider creamy dishes like a classic chicken Alfredo or a mushroom risotto. A fresh, lightly dressed salad with citrus elements would also enhance the wine's bright and zesty character. The wine's buttery and nutty nuances would also pair well with soft cheeses like Brie or Camembert.
Halibut With Brown Butter, Lemon and Sage
By David Tanis
About. Founded in 1999 by Dominique Lafon, Héritiers du Comte Lafon is a sustainable, biodynamic Mâconnais domaine. For decades, the local wine cooperatives of southern Burgundy’s Mâconnais gave the region a bad name for over-cropped, easy-drinking, and largely uninteresting Chardonnays. Today, the area is experiencing a resurgence, thanks in no small part to Dominique Lafon. Intrigued by the region’s historical and cultural richness, Dominique had enjoyed visiting winemaking friends there for years. These visits soon inspired him to plant roots in new pastures. He researched the Clos de la Crochette, an ancient vineyard site, and believed the parcel could be one of the first planted to Chardonnay by the nearby Abbaye de Cluny monks.
Convincing his family of over thirty members to buy the land and invest outside of the Côte d’Or was no small feat. Understanding the region's potential, this ardent terroirist ventured south with something to prove. In 1999, he purchased 14 hectares of vineyards, bringing his newfound passion for biodynamic farming. Soon after setting up shop, Caroline Gon, already an accomplished winemaker, joined and has been the head winemaker ever since. Using techniques from Lafon’s legendary estate combined with Gon’s understanding of the Mâconnais, they craft nine inspiring cuvées of Chardonnay.
These techniques, such as allowing the wines to go through malolactic fermentation and barrel aging, showcase the vast knowledge of Chardonnay vinification the estate holds. As such, they have not only elevated the standing of Mâcon but also given Burgundy lovers a terrific and cost-effective alternative to the Chardonnays of the more prestigious Côte de Beaune.
These world-class Chardonnays, a result of Dominique's pioneering investment in the region's potential, display what this region is capable of producing. Historically, the Mâconnais was known for industrially farmed, volume-driven wines. Dominique was the first Côte d’Or producer to invest in the immense potential hidden in those rolling hills by buying higher altitude, old vine parcels with the intent of letting this beautiful
terroir reach its full potential. He started by converting all of the vineyards to biodynamic farming – the Lafon way! Early on, he strived to preserve the fruit and minerality of the region by using only larger, neutral wood for the aging of the wines.
The result is a Chardonnay that is rich in fruit and minerality, with a unique texture and length that will leave you in awe. His belief and passion for the region have made Héritiers a towering icon for fine wine in the previously overlooked Chardonnay mecca. Now, with his nephew and daughter, Pierre and Léa Lafon, in charge, the gospel of quality Mâconnais is spreading far and wide with a clear and definitive voice.
