Lafarge Volnay 1er cru Clos du Château des Ducs 2009

93-95 points Antonio Galloni (Wine Advocate): "The estate’s 2009 Volnay Clos du Chateau des Ducs saturates the palate with its deep, persistent fruit. The aromas and flavors build in the glass towards the rich, multi-dimensional finish. This shows marvelous staying power and fabulous overall balance. The Clos du Chateau des Ducs is more overtly fruit-driven and structured but perhaps a touch less aromatically expressive than the Mitans. Anticipated maturity: 2019-2039. (May 2011)"

91-95 points Fine Wine Review: "The nose of the Volnay-Clos du Château des Ducs is open and displays pure red fruits that continue into the mouth. The wine has plenty of weight and structure with excellent length. (Issue 133; 2011)"

94 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 50+ year old vines; a monopole of the domaine). This is aromatically a bit less elegant than the Mitans but it is more complex with cool red and blue pinot fruit, violet, earth and stone nuances introducing attractively rich and equally pure middle weight flavors that exhibit real verve on the mouth coating and exceptionally persistent finish. As usual, this is a classic Volnay that is built to age and will need every bit of 12 to 15 years to be at its best. In short, this is a knockout. Drink: 2021+. (Apr 2012)"

94 points/'5 Star Wine,' Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "One of the top three wines on the night by popular vote. There is some evolution of colour matched however with a beautiful and accessible nose. Sensational balance. This was relatively light in colour but could not have been more exquisite. A fitting tribute to the recently departed Michel Lafarge. Note also the elegance in this wine (and in the Marquis d’Angerville’s Clos des Ducs and de Montille’s Taillepieds), all produced biodynamically, compared to the other 2009s. Tasted Nov 2019."

93+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2009 Clos du Château des Ducs is a beautifully reserved and elegant rendition of the vintage. The deep and classic nose delivers scents of cherries, blood orange, vinesmoke, fresh herb tones, a very complex base of soil and a topnote of cocoa. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied, tight and very, very long on the backend, with impeccable balance, superb focus and impressive grip on the ripely tannic and youthful finish. This will be stellar in the fullness of time. 2020-2050. (Nov/Dec 2010)"