Domaine Michel Lafarge
Clos des Chênes Volnay 1er Cru Pinot Noir
Volnay, Côte de Beaune, Burgundy, France
99 lafarge, unlike anything I've ever had.
99 lafarge, unlike anything I've ever had.
Nov 15th, 2013
2022/8. This was another somewhat mysterious entry in the saga of my cellar. On opening, it was in just about the oddest, most awkward shape of anything I’ve had in quite some time - hard, spicy and herbal with no fruit or perfume. With lots of air and coaxing it did begin to round into shape, with the last glass feeling like the most together. I don’t know if the cellar is just too cold (trapping wines in a prolonged awkward adolescence) or there is something less benign going on...
2022/8. This was another somewhat mysterious entry in the saga of my cellar. On opening, it was in just about the oddest, most awkward shape of anything I’ve had in quite some time - hard, spicy and herbal with no fruit or perfume. With lots of air and coaxing it did begin to round into shape, with the last glass feeling like the most together. I don’t know if the cellar is just too cold (trapping wines in a prolonged awkward adolescence) or there is something less benign going on...
Aug 29th, 20222020/12/25 with rib roast, kikuimo and cabbage with lemon, garlic and Parmigiano sauce. A really fascinating bottle - in a restrained but graceful middle age, balanced and deep; not effusive, but both layered berries and a lovely smoked tea (lapsang souchong) note dance in and out. Still plenty of color and tannin - it’s getting there but I should leave my remaining bottles that few elusive years more.
2020/12/25 with rib roast, kikuimo and cabbage with lemon, garlic and Parmigiano sauce. A really fascinating bottle - in a restrained but graceful middle age, balanced and deep; not effusive, but both layered berries and a lovely smoked tea (lapsang souchong) note dance in and out. Still plenty of color and tannin - it’s getting there but I should leave my remaining bottles that few elusive years more.
Dec 25th, 2020
Imagine going to MoMA and instead of seeing the actual art you stay in the bookstore and look at photobooks of the art, until before you know it the museum closes. That is what it was like to pop and pour this wine from the 99 vintage. It was closed at first, then good but disjointed, then really good, and then the last glass was incredible with flowers, earth, and red fruit, all in impeccable balance. Then it was gone. Next time I will decant.
Imagine going to MoMA and instead of seeing the actual art you stay in the bookstore and look at photobooks of the art, until before you know it the museum closes. That is what it was like to pop and pour this wine from the 99 vintage. It was closed at first, then good but disjointed, then really good, and then the last glass was incredible with flowers, earth, and red fruit, all in impeccable balance. Then it was gone. Next time I will decant.
Nov 30th, 2019I think there is the most expressive wine of my ideal style: fully terroir driven with no excuse - earthy and spice and everything nice.
I think there is the most expressive wine of my ideal style: fully terroir driven with no excuse - earthy and spice and everything nice.
Mar 20th, 2018This will be great, but it’s not close to ready. Try again in 10 years.
This will be great, but it’s not close to ready. Try again in 10 years.
Nov 16th, 2017Massive earthy wine without the Volnay character at the moment, or it is buried. Will be amazing in 10-20 years. Hope I am around then.
Massive earthy wine without the Volnay character at the moment, or it is buried. Will be amazing in 10-20 years. Hope I am around then.
Nov 16th, 2017