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Vinous (89-91)
The 2021 Meursault Village includes a little more Clos de la Baronne this year. This has a slightly minty bouquet and background scents of pine that complement the citrus fruit. The palate is well defined with a pleasant "bite" on the entry, with hints of walnut and orange peel, fanning out gently towards the finish that lingers in the mouth. Enjoy this Meursault over the next 12-15 years.Inc. VAT£1,415.09 -
Vinous (90)
(bottled just two weeks prior to my visit) Peach, orange and nuts on the nose. Round, fat, sweet and rich in the mouth, with very ripe citrus flavors. Wonderfully broad and full for the vintage but not at all heavy. Finishes ripe, fruity and long. This is about 13% natural alcohol. Lafon, who is a great fan of the 2004 vintage, believes that these wines will at some point go through an ugly stage, but they are certainly delicious today.Inc. VAT£372.53 -
(12x75cl) 2006Vinous (90)
Aromas of hazelnut, iodine and spice. Supple and juicy, with very good definition and finesse to its sweet peach flavor. Lovely fresh wine with bright fruit and noteworthy energy.Inc. VAT£4,538.98 -
(1x75cl) 2007Vinous (91+)
(tasted just off the bottling line) Pale color. Discreet aromas of soft citrus fruits and powdered stone. Juicy and tightly wound, with a captivating floral perfume in the mouth. For a wine with a light touch, this finishes with impressive thrust, not to mention aromatic persistence. Lafon calls this his favorite Clos de la Barre in a long time, noting that he also likes the 2000 very much.Inc. VAT£435.59 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)
Musky aromas of lemon, lime and hazelnut. At once sweet and powerful, with strong peachy fruit given cut by brisk acidity. Finishes with an impression of almost metallic minerality. This should be a very penetrating wine. Perhaps a bit phenolic today: this wine got a lot of batonnage until Christmas, noted Lafon. (My sample did not include the oldest vines in this parcel, which had just started their malolactic fermentation.)Inc. VAT£3,796.01 -
Vinous (91-93)
From a tank sample taken just prior to the fining: Bright, pale yellow-green. Grapefruit and lemon ice on the nose, plus a whiff of white truffle. Edgy lemony acidity gives shape to the palate and carries the finish. A second sample, taken after the fining: Bright pale yellow. Subtly perfumed nose hints at lemon ice. Juicy and pure but a bit sharper than the first sample, showing excellent precision to the lemon zest flavors. A very site-driven sample that finishes with a salty nuance and noteworthy cut and length. I like what the fining has accomplished.Inc. VAT£3,536.20 -
Vinous (91-93)
From a tank sample taken just prior to the fining: Bright, pale yellow-green. Grapefruit and lemon ice on the nose, plus a whiff of white truffle. Edgy lemony acidity gives shape to the palate and carries the finish. A second sample, taken after the fining: Bright pale yellow. Subtly perfumed nose hints at lemon ice. Juicy and pure but a bit sharper than the first sample, showing excellent precision to the lemon zest flavors. A very site-driven sample that finishes with a salty nuance and noteworthy cut and length. I like what the fining has accomplished.Inc. VAT£319.19 -
(12x75cl) 2012Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-93)
Bright green-yellow. Aromas of orange oil and botanical herbs, plus a sexy leesy nuance. Rich, tactile and dry, with a distinctly chewy quality to the oily white peach and wild herb flavors. Finishes dense and long, with noteworthy energy and lift. Lafon told me that he did not stir the lees of his 2012s, with the exception of the village wine.Inc. VAT£3,272.98 -
(12x75cl) 2014Vinous (92-93)
(tasted from tank): Musky lime blossom on the nose. Tactile and extract-rich, displaying very good cut and energy to its flavors of lime and flowers. In a distinctly juicier style than the Désirée, thanks to good acid thrust. Refreshingly bracing on the aftertaste.Inc. VAT£3,135.67 -
(12x75cl) 2015Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre 1er Cru from Domaine des Comtes Lafon is fresh and lively with cockle shed and oyster shell scents, beautifully knit together with real panache. The palate has a squeeze of sour lemon on the entry and a deft touch of reduction on the finish. This is drinking wonderfully right now. Tasted at the 05/15 Burgundy dinner in The Good Earth.Inc. VAT£3,628.87 -
(12x75cl) 2017Vinous (91-93)
(Lafon made 50 barrels, which he described as a full crop): Pretty aromas of apricot, peach and flowers are complicated by a seductive leesy quality. Wonderfully silky on the palate, offering a superb balance of fruit and acidity. Relatively sweet in the context of these '17s, but Lafon insisted that the wine has barely one gram per liter of residual sugar, while most of his other '17s are closer to half a gram--i.e., bone dry. Finishes with excellent length.Inc. VAT£2,677.00 -
Vinous (92-94)
The 2018 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a reserved and quite austere bouquet at the moment, which surprising considering the growing season. This is a stubborn Meursault. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity and quite saline in the mouth, with a touch of orange peel on the sharp, racy finish. Excellent.Inc. VAT£3,271.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2019 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a taut nose like the Désirée. Perfumed white flower scents intermingle with yellow plum and citrus peel – very pretty. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and there is plenty of energy here. A twist of sour lemon lends tension toward the finish, and a touch of ginger pops up on the aftertaste. Excellent.Inc. VAT£3,055.32 -
(12x75cl) 2019Vinous (90-92)
The 2019 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a taut nose like the Désirée. Perfumed white flower scents intermingle with yellow plum and citrus peel – very pretty. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and there is plenty of energy here. A twist of sour lemon lends tension toward the finish, and a touch of ginger pops up on the aftertaste. Excellent.Inc. VAT£3,547.27 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2019 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a taut nose like the Désirée. Perfumed white flower scents intermingle with yellow plum and citrus peel – very pretty. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and there is plenty of energy here. A twist of sour lemon lends tension toward the finish, and a touch of ginger pops up on the aftertaste. Excellent.Inc. VAT£684.80 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2020 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a clean, quite precise bouquet that is a step up from the Village, traces of grilled almond and hazelnut. The palate is underpinned by a fine line of acidity, more mineralité and tension with a saline, slightly Puligny-like finish. One of those less-is-more Meursaults. Bottled under Diam 30. Closure: Diam 30Inc. VAT£283.32 -
(2x75cl) 2020Vinous (91-93)
The 2020 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a clean, quite precise bouquet that is a step up from the Village, traces of grilled almond and hazelnut. The palate is underpinned by a fine line of acidity, more mineralité and tension with a saline, slightly Puligny-like finish. One of those less-is-more Meursaults. Bottled under Diam 30. Closure: Diam 30Inc. VAT£715.44 -
(3x75cl) 2020Vinous (91-93)
The 2020 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a clean, quite precise bouquet that is a step up from the Village, traces of grilled almond and hazelnut. The palate is underpinned by a fine line of acidity, more mineralité and tension with a saline, slightly Puligny-like finish. One of those less-is-more Meursaults. Bottled under Diam 30. Closure: Diam 30Inc. VAT£1,041.62 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2021 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre sports a clever reduction on the nose, with orange blossom, pithy pear and a subtle crushed stone note in the background. The palate is well balanced with candied orange peel and light quince notes; a little spice and touches of barley sugar and lime cordial appear towards the satisfying finish. This will surely be difficult to resist!Inc. VAT£258.53 -
Vinous (88)
The 2017 Monthélie Les Duresses was in barrel until October and then racked into tank as Lafon felt it was ready. It has a delightful bouquet of red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, plus a little sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins, but delivers pretty, earthy fruit and a light-hearted finish full of joie-de-vivre.Inc. VAT£801.40 -
(12x75cl) 2018Vinous (89)
The 2018 Monthélie Les Duresses has a tightly wound bouquet, the fruit a little darker than I find on the nascent 2019, yet still well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, quite compact and saline. A touch of black pepper enlivens the slightly broody finish. Cellar this for 2–3 years.Inc. VAT£868.60 -
(12x75cl) 2019Vinous (88-90)
The 2019 Monthélie Les Duresses offers crisp raspberry and red cherry scents on the nose, which is well defined and floral in style. The palate is fresh on the entry, and quite fleshy for a Monthélie, with a brisk, uncomplicated finish. Fine.Inc. VAT£1,151.50 -
Vinous (86-88)
The 2021 Monthélie Les Duresses, the only cuvée with a normal yield, sports a touch of reduction on the nose, red cherries and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins; this is quite a "stocky" Monthélie with dark berry fruit on the finish. Fine.Inc. VAT£92.39 -
Inc. VAT£1,546.01 -
(1x75cl) 2004Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)
Exotic aromas of pineapple, orange zest, iodine and menthol. Then wonderfully fat and nectar-like, with rare depth of fruit for the vintage. Boasts great richness without any heaviness. Really expands in the mouth and goes on and on on the very long, dry finish. Among the strongest 2004 samples I tasted on my most recent trip.Inc. VAT£3,641.60 -
(1x75cl) 2007Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94-97)
Superripe aromas of pear, peach, clove and smoked meat. Very ripe and highly concentrated, conveying a chewy impression of solidity. Wonderfully tactile wine, and yet there's terrific spine and verve here. Quite explosive on the mounting, utterly vibrant finish.Inc. VAT£2,909.60 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting, the 2014 Montrachet Grand Cru from Domaine des Comtes Lafon has a clean and fresh bouquet, perhaps just a bit too much lime for my liking, although there is mineralité tucked in just behind. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry with a superb line of acidity. There is weight and presence to this Montrachet, and it gains weight and delivers a knockout, extremely persistent finish tinged with lemon thyme and sherbet. Though a little disjointed at present, I suspect this will turn into a wonderful Montrachet with style and class. But be warned that it will require several years in bottle.Inc. VAT£4,257.59 -
Wine Advocate (96-98)
The 2017 Montrachet Grand Cru is a classic in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of lemon oil, citrus blossom, green apple, mandarin and beeswax, subtly framed by new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied, beautifully complete and multidimensional, with a broad, satiny attack, a deep, layered mid-palate and a pure, penetrating finish. Youthfully reserved today, its almost understated elegance conceals impressive reserved of structure and extract.Inc. VAT£2,972.39 -
Jancis Robinson (19)
Tank sample. Mid lemon. Huge weight, breadth and depth. Spice and real volume and intensity of flavour. Forceful and immediately imposing simply by the size of its style. Tremendous white wine. Honed, dense and focused. (MH)Inc. VAT£2,945.99 -
(1x75cl) 2012Vinous (92-94)
Sweet red berries, crushed flowers and spices are all woven together in the 2012 Volnay Champans. I am not sure I have ever tasted a Champans with this much texture and depth at Lafon. Sweet, silky tannins round out the supple, totally engaging finish. The 2012 is very, very pretty.Inc. VAT£141.85
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Vinous (89-91)
The 2021 Meursault Village includes a little more Clos de la Baronne this year. This has a slightly minty bouquet and background scents of pine that complement the citrus fruit. The palate is well defined with a pleasant "bite" on the entry, with hints of walnut and orange peel, fanning out gently towards the finish that lingers in the mouth. Enjoy this Meursault over the next 12-15 years.In Bond£1,160.00 -
Vinous (90)
(bottled just two weeks prior to my visit) Peach, orange and nuts on the nose. Round, fat, sweet and rich in the mouth, with very ripe citrus flavors. Wonderfully broad and full for the vintage but not at all heavy. Finishes ripe, fruity and long. This is about 13% natural alcohol. Lafon, who is a great fan of the 2004 vintage, believes that these wines will at some point go through an ugly stage, but they are certainly delicious today.In Bond£307.00 -
(12x75cl) 2006
Vinous (90)
Aromas of hazelnut, iodine and spice. Supple and juicy, with very good definition and finesse to its sweet peach flavor. Lovely fresh wine with bright fruit and noteworthy energy.In Bond£3,744.00 -
(1x75cl) 2007
Vinous (91+)
(tasted just off the bottling line) Pale color. Discreet aromas of soft citrus fruits and powdered stone. Juicy and tightly wound, with a captivating floral perfume in the mouth. For a wine with a light touch, this finishes with impressive thrust, not to mention aromatic persistence. Lafon calls this his favorite Clos de la Barre in a long time, noting that he also likes the 2000 very much.In Bond£360.00 -
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (89-92)
Musky aromas of lemon, lime and hazelnut. At once sweet and powerful, with strong peachy fruit given cut by brisk acidity. Finishes with an impression of almost metallic minerality. This should be a very penetrating wine. Perhaps a bit phenolic today: this wine got a lot of batonnage until Christmas, noted Lafon. (My sample did not include the oldest vines in this parcel, which had just started their malolactic fermentation.)In Bond£3,122.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
From a tank sample taken just prior to the fining: Bright, pale yellow-green. Grapefruit and lemon ice on the nose, plus a whiff of white truffle. Edgy lemony acidity gives shape to the palate and carries the finish. A second sample, taken after the fining: Bright pale yellow. Subtly perfumed nose hints at lemon ice. Juicy and pure but a bit sharper than the first sample, showing excellent precision to the lemon zest flavors. A very site-driven sample that finishes with a salty nuance and noteworthy cut and length. I like what the fining has accomplished.In Bond£2,911.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
From a tank sample taken just prior to the fining: Bright, pale yellow-green. Grapefruit and lemon ice on the nose, plus a whiff of white truffle. Edgy lemony acidity gives shape to the palate and carries the finish. A second sample, taken after the fining: Bright pale yellow. Subtly perfumed nose hints at lemon ice. Juicy and pure but a bit sharper than the first sample, showing excellent precision to the lemon zest flavors. A very site-driven sample that finishes with a salty nuance and noteworthy cut and length. I like what the fining has accomplished.In Bond£263.00 -
(12x75cl) 2012
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (90-93)
Bright green-yellow. Aromas of orange oil and botanical herbs, plus a sexy leesy nuance. Rich, tactile and dry, with a distinctly chewy quality to the oily white peach and wild herb flavors. Finishes dense and long, with noteworthy energy and lift. Lafon told me that he did not stir the lees of his 2012s, with the exception of the village wine.In Bond£2,689.00 -
(12x75cl) 2014
Vinous (92-93)
(tasted from tank): Musky lime blossom on the nose. Tactile and extract-rich, displaying very good cut and energy to its flavors of lime and flowers. In a distinctly juicier style than the Désirée, thanks to good acid thrust. Refreshingly bracing on the aftertaste.In Bond£2,581.00 -
(12x75cl) 2015
Vinous - Neal Martin (93)
The 2015 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre 1er Cru from Domaine des Comtes Lafon is fresh and lively with cockle shed and oyster shell scents, beautifully knit together with real panache. The palate has a squeeze of sour lemon on the entry and a deft touch of reduction on the finish. This is drinking wonderfully right now. Tasted at the 05/15 Burgundy dinner in The Good Earth.In Bond£2,992.00 -
(12x75cl) 2017
Vinous (91-93)
(Lafon made 50 barrels, which he described as a full crop): Pretty aromas of apricot, peach and flowers are complicated by a seductive leesy quality. Wonderfully silky on the palate, offering a superb balance of fruit and acidity. Relatively sweet in the context of these '17s, but Lafon insisted that the wine has barely one gram per liter of residual sugar, while most of his other '17s are closer to half a gram--i.e., bone dry. Finishes with excellent length.In Bond£2,195.00 -
Vinous (92-94)
The 2018 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a reserved and quite austere bouquet at the moment, which surprising considering the growing season. This is a stubborn Meursault. The palate is well balanced with fine acidity and quite saline in the mouth, with a touch of orange peel on the sharp, racy finish. Excellent.In Bond£2,690.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2019 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a taut nose like the Désirée. Perfumed white flower scents intermingle with yellow plum and citrus peel – very pretty. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and there is plenty of energy here. A twist of sour lemon lends tension toward the finish, and a touch of ginger pops up on the aftertaste. Excellent.In Bond£2,512.00 -
(12x75cl) 2019
Vinous (90-92)
The 2019 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a taut nose like the Désirée. Perfumed white flower scents intermingle with yellow plum and citrus peel – very pretty. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and there is plenty of energy here. A twist of sour lemon lends tension toward the finish, and a touch of ginger pops up on the aftertaste. Excellent.In Bond£2,924.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2019 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a taut nose like the Désirée. Perfumed white flower scents intermingle with yellow plum and citrus peel – very pretty. The palate is well balanced with a fine bead of acidity and there is plenty of energy here. A twist of sour lemon lends tension toward the finish, and a touch of ginger pops up on the aftertaste. Excellent.In Bond£568.00 -
Vinous (91-93)
The 2020 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a clean, quite precise bouquet that is a step up from the Village, traces of grilled almond and hazelnut. The palate is underpinned by a fine line of acidity, more mineralité and tension with a saline, slightly Puligny-like finish. One of those less-is-more Meursaults. Bottled under Diam 30. Closure: Diam 30In Bond£233.00 -
(2x75cl) 2020
Vinous (91-93)
The 2020 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a clean, quite precise bouquet that is a step up from the Village, traces of grilled almond and hazelnut. The palate is underpinned by a fine line of acidity, more mineralité and tension with a saline, slightly Puligny-like finish. One of those less-is-more Meursaults. Bottled under Diam 30. Closure: Diam 30In Bond£590.00 -
(3x75cl) 2020
Vinous (91-93)
The 2020 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre has a clean, quite precise bouquet that is a step up from the Village, traces of grilled almond and hazelnut. The palate is underpinned by a fine line of acidity, more mineralité and tension with a saline, slightly Puligny-like finish. One of those less-is-more Meursaults. Bottled under Diam 30. Closure: Diam 30In Bond£860.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
The 2021 Meursault Clos-de-la-Barre sports a clever reduction on the nose, with orange blossom, pithy pear and a subtle crushed stone note in the background. The palate is well balanced with candied orange peel and light quince notes; a little spice and touches of barley sugar and lime cordial appear towards the satisfying finish. This will surely be difficult to resist!In Bond£212.00 -
Vinous (88)
The 2017 Monthélie Les Duresses was in barrel until October and then racked into tank as Lafon felt it was ready. It has a delightful bouquet of red cherries and crushed strawberry fruit, plus a little sous-bois. The palate is medium-bodied with slightly rustic tannins, but delivers pretty, earthy fruit and a light-hearted finish full of joie-de-vivre.In Bond£632.00 -
(12x75cl) 2018
Vinous (89)
The 2018 Monthélie Les Duresses has a tightly wound bouquet, the fruit a little darker than I find on the nascent 2019, yet still well defined. The palate is medium-bodied with crunchy red berry fruit, quite compact and saline. A touch of black pepper enlivens the slightly broody finish. Cellar this for 2–3 years.In Bond£688.00 -
(12x75cl) 2019
Vinous (88-90)
The 2019 Monthélie Les Duresses offers crisp raspberry and red cherry scents on the nose, which is well defined and floral in style. The palate is fresh on the entry, and quite fleshy for a Monthélie, with a brisk, uncomplicated finish. Fine.In Bond£921.00 -
Vinous (86-88)
The 2021 Monthélie Les Duresses, the only cuvée with a normal yield, sports a touch of reduction on the nose, red cherries and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins; this is quite a "stocky" Monthélie with dark berry fruit on the finish. Fine.In Bond£74.00 -
In Bond£1,247.00
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(1x75cl) 2004
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)
Exotic aromas of pineapple, orange zest, iodine and menthol. Then wonderfully fat and nectar-like, with rare depth of fruit for the vintage. Boasts great richness without any heaviness. Really expands in the mouth and goes on and on on the very long, dry finish. Among the strongest 2004 samples I tasted on my most recent trip.In Bond£3,032.00 -
(1x75cl) 2007
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (94-97)
Superripe aromas of pear, peach, clove and smoked meat. Very ripe and highly concentrated, conveying a chewy impression of solidity. Wonderfully tactile wine, and yet there's terrific spine and verve here. Quite explosive on the mounting, utterly vibrant finish.In Bond£2,422.00 -
Wine Advocate (98)
Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting, the 2014 Montrachet Grand Cru from Domaine des Comtes Lafon has a clean and fresh bouquet, perhaps just a bit too much lime for my liking, although there is mineralité tucked in just behind. The palate is fresh and saline on the entry with a superb line of acidity. There is weight and presence to this Montrachet, and it gains weight and delivers a knockout, extremely persistent finish tinged with lemon thyme and sherbet. Though a little disjointed at present, I suspect this will turn into a wonderful Montrachet with style and class. But be warned that it will require several years in bottle.In Bond£3,545.00 -
Wine Advocate (96-98)
The 2017 Montrachet Grand Cru is a classic in the making, wafting from the glass with aromas of lemon oil, citrus blossom, green apple, mandarin and beeswax, subtly framed by new oak. On the palate, it's full-bodied, beautifully complete and multidimensional, with a broad, satiny attack, a deep, layered mid-palate and a pure, penetrating finish. Youthfully reserved today, its almost understated elegance conceals impressive reserved of structure and extract.In Bond£2,474.00 -
Jancis Robinson (19)
Tank sample. Mid lemon. Huge weight, breadth and depth. Spice and real volume and intensity of flavour. Forceful and immediately imposing simply by the size of its style. Tremendous white wine. Honed, dense and focused. (MH)In Bond£2,452.00 -
(1x75cl) 2012
Vinous (92-94)
Sweet red berries, crushed flowers and spices are all woven together in the 2012 Volnay Champans. I am not sure I have ever tasted a Champans with this much texture and depth at Lafon. Sweet, silky tannins round out the supple, totally engaging finish. The 2012 is very, very pretty.In Bond£115.00
The variations among Burgundy's many appellations and the importance of individual winemakers philosophy's make vintage guides complex. Vintage advantages can also differ slightly for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Nonetheless we have put together a selection of some of our favourite vintages from Burgundy.
