Domaine des Comtes LAFON (Meursault) 2015 from Barrel Part I: Red Wines

(Originally published in 13 April 2017.)

Dominique Lafon said that for the reds, he began harvesting with the Clos des Chênes on 31 August; the Monthélie was harvested on 5 September. The grapes were almost all destemmed (exception for the Clos des Chênes). Malolactic fermentations finished in February. Dominique expected to bottle the Monthélie in March or April, the others a little later.

As usual here, we begin with the reds:

2015 Monthélie   1er Cru   Les Duresses
The wine is pure and fresh with red cherry fruit, and lots of charm, finesse, and freshness — it is a happy wine. (90-93)

2015 Volnay     1er Cru     Clos des Chênes
The Clos des Chênes has round, pure, concentrated red cherry fruit with the finesse of Clos des Chênes. 50% whole clusters in this wine. Usually six casks (1800 bottles), but in this vintage, only three — Dominique attributes it to the fatigue of the vines from the prior three vintages’ hail. (90-94)

2015 Volnay    1er Cru   Champans
The Champans has darker fruit than the Clos des Chênes. The wine is round and fleshy with the finesse of the vintage, density, and depth. (91-95)

2015 Vonlay     1er Cru    Santenots-du-Milieu
The Santenots is powerful and deep with dark and red fruits, excellent length, and balance. The texture is velvet. This wine shows the great potential of this oft-misunderstood vineyard. (93-97)