Comtes Lafon Volnay 1er cru Champans 2015

93-95 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "The 2015 Volnay 1er Cru Champans was picked on 1 September and the fruit was completely de-stemmed. It has a precocious bouquet with oodles of red cherry, kirsch and blueberry notes that are nicely controlled, seeming to gather momentum in the glass. The palate is medium-bodied, velvety smooth with sensual blueberry and strawberry fruit, a hint of orange sorbet and cherry liqueur on the finish. This is a gorgeous Volnay Champans and it would not surprise me if it ended up being Dominique Lafon's finest 2015, white or red. Drink: 2020-2040. (Dec 2016)"

91-95 points Fine Wine Review: "The Champans has darker fruit than the Clos des Chênes. The wine is round and fleshy with the finesse of the vintage, density, and depth. (4/13/17)"

94 points Tim Atkin, MW: "Blessed with a half-decent yield in 2015, Dominique Lafon has made a serious, beautifully defined red from this 0.5-hectare parcel. Firm, yet rich and fleshy, with a hint of savoury reduction, this has real old vine concentration and plenty of spicy damson and red plum fruit. 2022-35."

92-94 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 85+ year old vines planted in deep sandy soil with dense but small rocks). This is aromatically cooler and slightly more reserved as well with its overtly spicy array of red and dark pinot fruit, warm earth and a softly exotic character. While the medium-bodied flavors aren't quite as powerful and concentrated they are notably finer with noticeably better acidity that adds to the sense of underlying tension on the beautifully balanced finale. This is one of the better examples of Champans fashioned here in several years and it should rank with the 2005 and 2010. Drink: 2030+. (Apr 2017)"

93 points William Kelley (Decanter): "The old vines in Champans have produced a beautifully brooding wine, opening with notes of woodsmoke, dark fruit, forest floor and subtle grilled meat. On the palate the wine is more powerful and concentrated than the Clos des Chênes, with a deep, firm core of fine tannin. Drinking Window: 2025-2050. (Jan 2017)"

93 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "These very old vines in Champans have produced a superb example of the 2015 vintage, but as is so often the case chez Lafon, this wine will demand a few more years in the cellar than the Clos des Chênes before it starts to drink with generosity. The bouquet is pure, youthful and simply beautiful, wafting from the glass in a blend of red and black cherries, pomegranate, woodsmoke, a bit of meatiness, a fine base of soil and a touch of spicy wood. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and broader-shouldered than the Clos des Chênes, with a fine core, excellent soil signature, ripe tannins and a very long, tangy finish. These vines are now ninety-six years of age and they have produced a superb wine in this vintage. 2025-2060. (Nov/Dec 2016)"

92+ points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2015 Volnay Les Champans 1er Cru shows a little reduction, but that seems to dissipate with modest aeration, leaving a light metallic residue on the red berry fruit. The clean, pure palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, crisp acidity and a bright, citrus-fresh strawberry and morello cherry finish. This has a lot of potential. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting. (DIAM 30 closure) Drink: 2021-2038. (Nov 2018)"