Lafarge Volnay 1er cru Clos des Chênes 2011

94+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2011 Volnay “Clos des Chênes” from Domaine Michel Lafarge is again, very uncharacteristically red fruity in personality this year, but shows absolutely superb potential. The deep, pure and refined bouquet is a blend of red plums, cherries, cocoa powder, gamebirds, a touch of fresh nutmeg, a stunningly complex base of soil and a touch of violets in the upper register. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very refined, with excellent mid-palate depth, very refined tannins, lovely focus and superb length and grip on the youthful and nascently complex finish. A great wine in the making! 2025-2075. (NovDec 2012)"

93 points/'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 45+ year old vines that sit just above Champans). This is more deeply pitched still with a gorgeously pure, elegant and ultra-pure nose of dark berries, cherry liqueur and plum. There is marvelous concentration to the overtly muscular and powerful large-scaled, intense and mouth coating flavors that exude a fine minerality on the austere, serious and explosively persistent finish. This is a big yet perfectly balanced effort that will likely require a full 12 years of cellar time as the supporting tannins are very firm. Arguably the Clos des Chênes of the vintage. Drink: 2023+. (Apr 2014)"

92+ points Stephen Tanzer (Vinous): "Bright medium red. High-pitched aromas and flavors of blueberry, black cherry and licorice; darker in fruit character than the young 2012 version. Quite reserved and tightly wound, with hints of pepper and herbs contributing to the impression of energy and precision. Finishes with serious fine-grained tannins and terrific persistence. Lay this one down. (Mar 2014)"

92 points Robin Kick, MW (Decanter): "The 2011 Clos des Chênes from Lafarge is in the midst of transformation. On one hand, there is an alluring earthiness of autumn leaves and mushrooms paired with sweet dried fruits while, on the other, the palate’s structure is still tightly wound and its tannins still feel chewy and taut. A few more years in the cellar should smooth out its texture and merge the flavours more seamlessly. A wine to watch. Drinking Window: 2027-2040. (7/5/22)"

(Note on bottle condition: These older Lafarge wines are from a perfect French cellar, and its relatively high humidity has incurred some mold and cosmetic degradation of the labels. These cellar conditions are identical to the Lafarge cellars themselves, where bottles are not labeled until immediately prior to shipment, as they're blanketed with black mold until that point. The bottles are otherwise pristine with excellent fills and capsules. Images may be furnished upon request. -WHWC, May 2024)