Domaine des Comtes Lafon, Volnay 1er Cru Santenots du Milieu 2012

vinous91

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

(production of 16 hectoliters per hectare): Deep red-ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, animal fur and dark chocolate. Very rich and classically dry, offering a suaver, finer-grained texture than the Champans. Shows a slightly roasted quality to its dark fruit flavors along with complicating notes of spices and espresso. Here the tannins are dusty and substantial but mellow.

vinous93

Reviewed by: Stephen Tanzer

Deep, bright red. Dark cherry, espresso and mocha on the nose. Incredibly sweet, round and full, with an almost liqueur-like chocolatey ripeness. Outsized wine from a tiny yield; in fact, Lafon did not declassify the young Santenots vines into a village Volnay in 2012 because this fruit was so concentrated and scarce. Can't quite match the Champans for vibrancy or tension but there's enough energy here for mid-term aging. Incidentally, following the 2011 Santenots, I also retasted the 2010 and 2009. The former wine is like a baby 2005 and is dominated by its tannins today, while the 2009 showed captivating, liqueur-like sweet fruits and outstanding high-toned intensity. It has the density and length to age, but it's utterly silky and seductive right now.

vinous94

Reviewed by: Antonio Galloni

(production of 16 hectoliters per hectare): Deep red-ruby color. Aromas of black cherry, animal fur and dark chocolate. Very rich and classically dry, offering a suaver, finer-grained texture than the Champans. Shows a slightly roasted quality to its dark fruit flavors along with complicating notes of spices and espresso. Here the tannins are dusty and substantial but mellow.