From: Burgundy, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Taste & Critical Acclaim: Decanter Notes
91 Points, Charles Curtis MW, Decanter: "The Lafarge family suffered 80% losses in the 2021 vintage and have combined their production of Volnay into just two cuvées, one village, and one premier cru. They have done their work carefully and well to produce a delicious wine with fragrant raspberry fruit and floral aromas. The texture is silky and fine, with fresh acidity, light body, and a very elegant balance. This will drink well on release and will hold for a decade at least. (Drink between 2025-2045)" 11/22
Burghound Notes
89-92 Points, Allen Meadows, Burghound: "A more complex nose features notes of plum, violet, red currant, forest floor and a whiff of herbal tea. The dense, serious and almost painfully intense flavors possess a seductive texture thanks to the abundance of sappy dry extract that also serves to buffer the firm, serious and youthfully austere finale. This is also excellent for its level and the presence of the old vines in 2021 is evident. (Drink starting 2028)" 04/23
Domaine Profile, courtesy of Becky Wasserman & Co.
Location: Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy
Size: 12.00 ha (29.65 ac)
Varieties: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Aligoté
Viticulture: Certified organic (Ecocert) and biodynamic (Demeter, since 2000)
Vinification: 100% de-stemmed, ambient yeast fermentation, 25% new oak maximum. Reds unfiltered, whites fined and/or filtered if necessary.
Domaine Lafarge was run for the last 60 years by the legendary Michel Lafarge. Frédéric, his son, starting in 1978. As of 2018, they have been joined by the next generation, Clothilde Lafarge, daughter of Frédéric and Chantal.
About. This domaine is famous for producing some of the greatest traditional Volnays, from biodynamic farmed vineyards.The domaine traces its history back to the early 19th century, the iconic Clos du Château des Ducs having been bought in 1900 by Michel Lafarge’s father. The first wines bottled at the domaine in 1934 included Clos des Chênes, the domaine’s largest Volnay premier cru holding and one of the village’s flagships. The domaine consists of over 11.6 hectares under vine, most of them in Volnay and Beaune, including a 0.9 hectares holding of Clos des Chênes and many top 1er cru vineyards in the appellation.
The vinification is traditional with 100% destemed grapes, and the elevage is done using very low percentage of new oak (around 5%) and are famous for their great transparency of their respective teroirs. Michel and Frédéric converted to biodynamic viticulture in 1996 and the domaine is now at the forefront of the movement.
The wines are pure, age-worthy and yet quite beautifully delicate.
