96 points La Revue du Vin de France: "More serious, the Volnay Santenots du Milieu 2019 rises in aromatic depth with notes of black fruit and a fine touch of spice. The same sensation of crescendo on the palate, with a density of matter that preserves the elegance of this great terroir. (2023)"
95 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "Those who overlook Lafon’s reds do so at their own peril. The Volnay Santenots du Milieu is a prime example. The domaine owns 4ha in this climat, considered among the greatest in Volnay. Only the old vines are used, some of which are more than eighty years of age.The gentle winemaking here gives the wine a lovely, perfumed ripe cherry character, floral notes and a distinct minerality, while the texture shows elegant, fine-grained tannins, surprising freshness and a marvellous finesse. Drinking Window: 2024-2039. (Oct 2020)"
94 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "A medium deep purple. There is a metallic reductive character to the nose, with some blackcurrant alongside the raspberry. When it cleans up this should be very good, which proves to be the case. There is a classy linear style to the fruit, and a suggestion of powerful longevity. I took a mark off at first for the reduction but as it has cleared I can restore it. Drink from 2029-2040. Tasted: September 2023."
92-94+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Aromas of plums, wild berries, rose petals, warm spices and raw cocoa introduce Lafon's 2019 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots-du-Milieu, a medium to full-bodied, bright and precise wine that's layered and concentrated, with an elegant, refined profile that's finer-boned than its more muscular 2018 predecessor. This is very promising. (Jan 2021)"
92-94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Volnay Les Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru, matured in a little more new oak than the Clos des Chênes (around one-third, according to Lafon), offers a quintessential Santenots nose of almost brazen blueberry and cassis aromas mixed with raspberry and violets. The palate is rounded on the entry and exerts a gentle grip. Opulent but controlled, though this year I find more nuance and sensuality on the Champans, which would be my pick of Lafon’s reds. Drink: 2023-2042. (Dec 2020)"
92-94 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 40+ year old vines planted in shallow, high clay content soil sitting above a bed of solid limestone). A spicier and more deeply pitched nose of dark raspberry, floral, plum and exotic tea is trimmed in just enough wood to merit mentioning. The equally refined yet even more powerful and more concentrated flavors exude a subtle bead of minerality on the superbly persistent finish. This needs to develop more depth but the sheer density of material coupled with what will undoubtedly be an extended aging curve should enable that to occur. This is potentially superb. Drink: 2034+. (Apr 2021)"
95 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "Those who overlook Lafon’s reds do so at their own peril. The Volnay Santenots du Milieu is a prime example. The domaine owns 4ha in this climat, considered among the greatest in Volnay. Only the old vines are used, some of which are more than eighty years of age.The gentle winemaking here gives the wine a lovely, perfumed ripe cherry character, floral notes and a distinct minerality, while the texture shows elegant, fine-grained tannins, surprising freshness and a marvellous finesse. Drinking Window: 2024-2039. (Oct 2020)"
94 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "A medium deep purple. There is a metallic reductive character to the nose, with some blackcurrant alongside the raspberry. When it cleans up this should be very good, which proves to be the case. There is a classy linear style to the fruit, and a suggestion of powerful longevity. I took a mark off at first for the reduction but as it has cleared I can restore it. Drink from 2029-2040. Tasted: September 2023."
92-94+ points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "Aromas of plums, wild berries, rose petals, warm spices and raw cocoa introduce Lafon's 2019 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots-du-Milieu, a medium to full-bodied, bright and precise wine that's layered and concentrated, with an elegant, refined profile that's finer-boned than its more muscular 2018 predecessor. This is very promising. (Jan 2021)"
92-94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Volnay Les Santenots-du-Milieu 1er Cru, matured in a little more new oak than the Clos des Chênes (around one-third, according to Lafon), offers a quintessential Santenots nose of almost brazen blueberry and cassis aromas mixed with raspberry and violets. The palate is rounded on the entry and exerts a gentle grip. Opulent but controlled, though this year I find more nuance and sensuality on the Champans, which would be my pick of Lafon’s reds. Drink: 2023-2042. (Dec 2020)"
92-94 points/'Sweet spot/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 40+ year old vines planted in shallow, high clay content soil sitting above a bed of solid limestone). A spicier and more deeply pitched nose of dark raspberry, floral, plum and exotic tea is trimmed in just enough wood to merit mentioning. The equally refined yet even more powerful and more concentrated flavors exude a subtle bead of minerality on the superbly persistent finish. This needs to develop more depth but the sheer density of material coupled with what will undoubtedly be an extended aging curve should enable that to occur. This is potentially superb. Drink: 2034+. (Apr 2021)"
| Product SKU | 350294 |
| Producer | Comtes Lafon |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| SubRegion | Côtes de Beaune |
| Appellation | Volnay |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Designation | Premier Cru |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Size | 1.5L |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 14.0% |
| Ships To |
