Region: Bourgogne Rouge, France
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Taste (reviews are from the 2020 vintage): 89-92 points Jasper Morris
A little pink tinge to the edge of the purple. This is exactly right. Concentrated ripe raspberry with perfect balancing acidity, a sense of having picked at the right time and, as Frédéric would (and did) say, showing the benefits of long term biodynamic culture. Very long finish indeed, extremely high class.
87-90 points Burghound
Note: from 40+ year old vines in Petit Pré which was once classified as Volnay villages This is also wonderfully fresh with its cool and pretty aromas of essence of red pinot fruit, spice and a more subtle suggestion of newly turned earth. There is a lovely sense of vibrancy to the delicious middle weight flavors that are shaped by relatively fine-grained tannins on the strikingly complex and lengthy finish. Like the Anthologie, it's rare to find this level of quality in a regional wine plus it should repay 5 to 8 years of keeping. Highly recommended. *Burghound Outstanding! Top Value!*
Food Pairing: If you are serving with appetizers anything mushroom-centric will be lovely, as well as brie, gouda, and manchego cheeses. Barbecue pork and grilled lean lamb are amazing partners for this bottle, and as the weather warms why not fire up the grill! Try these Grilled Baby Back Ribs by Sam Sifton.
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.
