97 points Tim Atkin, MW (Decanter): "Dominique Lafon uses only 20% new wood on his Genevrières to preserve its finesse. Nettley, tangy and grapefruity, it's another precise, chiselled white from this brilliant winemaker. It's long and refreshing, with understated power and concentration, and a dusting of pastry spices. Drinking Window: 2020-2029. (Oct 2018)"
96 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Clear pale lemon yellow. There is a very significant weight of fruit evident on the palate, without being demonstrative. Relatively massive wine on the palate but everything is balanced and the aftertaste is very long. Powerful, but has not lost nuance. Massively intense finish. Tasted: July 2021."
94-96 points Fine Wine Review: "Although I usually prefer Genevrières to Charmes, that was not the case on this visit. The wine is mineral, pure, and light with finesse, depth, and great focus and energy. (12/17/18)"
95+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2017 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes confirms its brilliant showing from barrel, offering up a lovely bouquet of fresh pear, mandarin, buttered apples, white flowers and fresh pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional palate that's muscular, structured and concentrated, with fine cut and a long, chalky finish. As is quite often the case, I have a preference for this Charmes over Lafon's Perrières this year, though it will be interesting to put that contention to the test a decade from now. Drink: 2025-2045. (Jan 2020)"
95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2017 Meursault Charmes 1er Cru has a precise, focused bouquet, quite mineral-driven and strict but compelling, with grilled walnut and smoke scents developing. The palate has quite a bitter-edged entry. One of the most tensile Les Charmes that you will find, this is vibrant and quite spicy toward a finish that lingers in the mouth. Another classy, sophisticated and intense Meursault Charmes. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune. Drink: 2023-2048. (Aug 2021)"
94+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Interestingly, as the Lafon parcel in Charmes was not frosted in 2016, there was higher production here last year than was the case in 2017. In this most recent vintage, there are only twenty barrels of Charmes, whereas last year there were thirty-five! The smaller crop was due to imperfect weather at flowering in 2017, but the resulting wine has turned out brilliantly and this is one of the best recent vintages of Charmes from Dominique Lafon! The bouquet is pure and complex, hopping from the glass in a fine blend of apple pear, coconut, chalky minerality, hazelnuts, a touch of iodine and a lovely base of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full, long and very, very precise, with lovely mid-palate depth, bright, racy acids and fine cut and mineral drive on the very long and complex finish. Great juice. 2021-2055. (Nov/Dec 2018)"
94 points/'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a blend of fruit coming from 35+ and 75+ year old vines in Charmes Dessus, which is generally considered to be the best part; the parcel is situated directly below Perrières and abutting Combettes). An expressive nose freely offers up distinct notes of hazelnut, acacia blossom, soft wood and lovely spice nuances. The supple, round and seductively textured mid-palate contrasts substantially with the explosively powerful, bone dry and chiseled finale that delivers outstanding depth and persistence. This very crisp effort is terrific and possesses excellent aging potential. Drink: 2029+. (Jun 2020)"
96 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Clear pale lemon yellow. There is a very significant weight of fruit evident on the palate, without being demonstrative. Relatively massive wine on the palate but everything is balanced and the aftertaste is very long. Powerful, but has not lost nuance. Massively intense finish. Tasted: July 2021."
94-96 points Fine Wine Review: "Although I usually prefer Genevrières to Charmes, that was not the case on this visit. The wine is mineral, pure, and light with finesse, depth, and great focus and energy. (12/17/18)"
95+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2017 Meursault 1er Cru Charmes confirms its brilliant showing from barrel, offering up a lovely bouquet of fresh pear, mandarin, buttered apples, white flowers and fresh pastry, followed by a medium to full-bodied, layered and multidimensional palate that's muscular, structured and concentrated, with fine cut and a long, chalky finish. As is quite often the case, I have a preference for this Charmes over Lafon's Perrières this year, though it will be interesting to put that contention to the test a decade from now. Drink: 2025-2045. (Jan 2020)"
95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2017 Meursault Charmes 1er Cru has a precise, focused bouquet, quite mineral-driven and strict but compelling, with grilled walnut and smoke scents developing. The palate has quite a bitter-edged entry. One of the most tensile Les Charmes that you will find, this is vibrant and quite spicy toward a finish that lingers in the mouth. Another classy, sophisticated and intense Meursault Charmes. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting in Savigny-lès-Beaune. Drink: 2023-2048. (Aug 2021)"
94+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "Interestingly, as the Lafon parcel in Charmes was not frosted in 2016, there was higher production here last year than was the case in 2017. In this most recent vintage, there are only twenty barrels of Charmes, whereas last year there were thirty-five! The smaller crop was due to imperfect weather at flowering in 2017, but the resulting wine has turned out brilliantly and this is one of the best recent vintages of Charmes from Dominique Lafon! The bouquet is pure and complex, hopping from the glass in a fine blend of apple pear, coconut, chalky minerality, hazelnuts, a touch of iodine and a lovely base of vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full, long and very, very precise, with lovely mid-palate depth, bright, racy acids and fine cut and mineral drive on the very long and complex finish. Great juice. 2021-2055. (Nov/Dec 2018)"
94 points/'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(a blend of fruit coming from 35+ and 75+ year old vines in Charmes Dessus, which is generally considered to be the best part; the parcel is situated directly below Perrières and abutting Combettes). An expressive nose freely offers up distinct notes of hazelnut, acacia blossom, soft wood and lovely spice nuances. The supple, round and seductively textured mid-palate contrasts substantially with the explosively powerful, bone dry and chiseled finale that delivers outstanding depth and persistence. This very crisp effort is terrific and possesses excellent aging potential. Drink: 2029+. (Jun 2020)"
| Product SKU | 336355 |
| Producer | Comtes Lafon |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| SubRegion | Côtes de Beaune |
| Appellation | Meursault |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | White |
| ABV | 13.6% |
| Ships To |
