Lafarge Volnay 1er cru Clos des Chênes 2019

95-97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2019 Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes is a magical bottle in the making, wafting from the glass with a deep and complex bouquet of plums, cassis and warm spices, complemented by subtle hints of raw cocoa, peonies and loamy soil. Medium to full-bodied, layered and complete, it's elegantly powerful, with lively acids, powdery tannins and a long, perfumed finish. Finer-boned than the 2018 or the 2015 rendition before it, this is an exquisite wine from the Lafarge family. (Jan 2021)"

93-97 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "Clear beautiful mid crimson in colour. This magnificent Clos des Chênes has a really fine deep bouquet, all you can want in a medium deep register. Spit this internally. Absolutely harmony of flavour here, so graceful yet with an underlying tension. The gossamer thread which cannot be cut. (Oct 2020)"

96 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "From the domaine-owned 0.9ha parcel in the northeast corner of the lieu-dit, this is a monumental wine. Winemaker Frederic Lafarge believes it incarnates all the characteristics of Volnay. The grapes are destemmed by hand before extracting the fruit using gentle punch downs at the end of fermentation. The result is a seductively complex mix of ripe mulberry fruit, floral and mineral notes, allied to an impressive structure; somewhat firm for Volnay but by no means unapproachable, even young. This will last for decades. Drinking Window: 2024-2039. (Oct 2020)"

93-96 points/'Don't miss!/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 45+ year old vines that sit just above Champans). Once again the purity of the nose is dazzling with its broad ranging aromas of various red berries, spice wisps, newly turned earth and subtle exotic tea scents. The cool, restrained and refined but impressively powerful flavors are also borderline painfully intense with stunningly good depth and persistence on the harmonious finish. This supporting tannins are dense but fine and this jewel of a Clos des Chênes should easily be capable of rewarding 20+ years of cellaring. Drink: 2036+. (Apr 2021)"

95 points La Revue du Vin de France (2022).

93-95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Volnay Clos des Chênes 1er Cru has a pretty and exceptionally pure bouquet with red cherries, kirsch, cranberry and crushed limestone aromas that soar from the glass. The palate is very well balanced with a fine bead of acidity, a little chewiness towards the finish, dense with a grippy, broody finish. This will require time - a Volnay with a bit of 'grunt'. Drink: 2025-2045. (Oct 2020)"

Bill Nanson (Burgundy Report): "Just a little more width of aroma, then slowly growing depth too. Extra attack. A little more depth and salinity to the complexity, less perfectly packaged today but otherwise with more of everything. The finish clearly more open and wide and holding… (Nov 2020)"