Lafarge Volnay 1er cru Clos des Chênes 2016

95+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2016 Clos des Chênes from Domaine Lafarge is already showing enormous complexity on both the nose and palate and is a great, great wine in the making. The bouquet delivers a magical mélange of cassis, black plums, dark chocolate, gamebird, woodsmoke, violets and a gloriously complex base of dark soil tones. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, pure and very refined, with a sappy core, lovely transparency, fine-grained tannins and a very long, tangy and elegant finish. This will be stunning when it is fully mature! 2028-2070. (Nov/Dec 2017)"

95 points Tim Atkin, MW (Jan 2018).

93-95 points and 'Don't miss!/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 45+ year old vines that sit just above Champans). Interestingly this is aromatically similar to the Caillerets except that it's not as spicy and much earthier. There is excellent size, weight and intensity to the big-bodied and equally mineral-driven flavors that evidence plenty of both muscle and power while delivering superb length on the very firmly structured and youthfully austere finale. Like the Pitures, this is textbook. Drink: 2034+. (Apr 2018)"

93-95 points Neal Martin (Wine Advocate): "The 2016 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes, without doubt, has the most seductive bouquet from Domaine Lafarge: ample red cherry and wild strawberry fruit, suggestions of eucalyptus just underneath. It has wonderful delineation---crystalline. The palate is well balanced with fine tannin, firm in the mouth with very good structure, a delicate sprinkling of cracked black pepper furthering the complexity on the long finish. What a cerebral Volnay and what a delicious mouthful of Volnay this is going to be. Drink: 2022-2045. (Dec 2017)"

92-95 points Fine Wine Review: "The Clos des Chênes came in at 28 hl/ha, quite good for the vintage. The wine is pure with dark berry fruit and plenty of substance, but it also shows finesse. There’s good energy here, although not as much as I’ve seen in some other vintages. (10/26/17)"

94 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Fine rich deep purple. The nose is beautiful, high class Volnay with great concentration. Plenty of oak but it hardly makes a dent in the weight of fruit. Nicely grained tannins. Beautifully balanced finish.Tasted: September 2019."