2015 Domaine Michel Lafarge, Volnay Premier Cru, Clos des Chenes 6x750ml

Vinous 92-95

Bright medium red. Tighter on the nose than the Clos du Château des Ducs, with a minty topnote to the aromas of red berries and spices; a note of red cherry liqueur emerged with air. Superconcentrated and tactile but extremely unevolved; a more masculine style than the Clos du Château des Ducs, showing little of that wine’s early sweetness. More tannic and even a touch youthfully angular on the back end, but finishes with palate-staining saline minerality and outstanding building length. This, too, will require significant patience. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/01/2017]

Robert Parker 93

The 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes was a little timid at first, but it soon gains vigor, developing wonderful red cherry, wild strawberry and raspberry, wilted rose petals and cold stone (pebbles on a beach sprung to mind). The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, this Volnay caressing, fleshy, almost nubile with not a hair out of place on the finish. It has immense depth and great precision, the aftertaste incredibly long. For long-term consumption and enjoyment. [Neal Martin, 10/18/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2022-2050

JancisRobinson.com 18.5+

Almost 1 ha (16 ha in total). Red and much shallower soils above the calcaire. 55-year-old vines, on average. Deep and slightly uncommunicative on the nose. Very dense and concentrated. It really doesn’t want to be disturbed for the moment. Intellectual, even a little severe, but this should come really out of its shell eventually as it builds to the most amazing finish. It’s all on the end…  [11/08/2016]

Anticipated maturity: 2030-2050