2020 Domaine des Comtes Lafon 'Santenots du Milieu' 1er Cru Volnay

This is easily the most floral-infused nose in the range along with an elegant, pure and airy essence of red pinot fruit. In fact while it\'s more complex, this resembles the nose of the Monthelie. There is a highly seductive texture to the soil and mineral-inflected middle weight flavors that are notably finer than those of the Champans or the Clos des Chênes. I particularly like the inner mouth perfume and the length is simply stunning. Notwithstanding those considerable attributes be aware that this will require plenty of cellar time to fully harmonize and arrive at its full potential.

CRITICAL ACCLAIM


Decanter - "A monumental wine, with super-ripe black cherry and currant fruit accented with rose petals, liquorice, smoke and minerals. Dense and full-bodied in texture, yet vibrantly fresh and superbly long- a marvel. Anyone who thinks Lafon is only about white wine is missing this epic experience. Volnay Santenots is arguably among the top red wines of the Côte de Beaune, and Santenots-du-Milieu is the best portion of it (Lafon owns nearly half of this appellation). He destems the fruit, does a cold soak and punches down regularly before ageing in cask (one-third new)."


Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - "The 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots-du-Milieu is excellent, wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of wild berries, plums and cassis mingled with hints of spices, grilled meats and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and tightly wound, with powdery structuring tannins and lively acids. This is a serious Santenots that will require some bottle age, and it's among the best that I can remember tasting chez Lafon over the last decade. Barrel Sample: 93-95"


Burghound - "A mentholated top note is present on the ripe but fresh aromas of poached plum, black raspberry coulis and pretty spice nuances like those found in jasmine tea. The sleek and markedly intense big-bodied and concentrated flavors retain a lovely sense of detail on the lingering, textured, stony and powerful finale. As is usually the case, this is the best of the Lafon reds though in 2020, it appears to barely best the Champans. *Sweet spot Outstanding* (91-94pts)"