Lafarge Volnay 1er cru Clos du Château des Ducs 2019

95-97 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "At this early stage, the 2019 Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Château des Ducs appears to be the equal of the Clos des Chênes in quality, even if the two are very different in character. Bursting with notes of plums, peonies, orange rind, dark chocolate and spices, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and layered, with a deep and multidimensional core, ultra-refined tannins and a long, resonant finish. (Jan 2021)"

93-97 points Jasper Morris, MW (Inside Burgundy): "This cuvée will be offered as Hommage à Michel in honour of his 70th and final harvest. The wine is worthy of its task in paying tribute to one of the most inspirational human beings to have graced the vineyards and cellars of Burgundy. The 2019 Clos du Château des Ducs displays a beautiful mid red robe, a little denser in bouquet than the Clos des Chênes. Here there is much more tension, less suavity, but a worthy companion. Since adopting the hand destemming technique and the vertical press, the Clos du Château des Ducs has risen to join the Clos des Chênes at the top of the tree. (Oct 2020)"

93-95 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2019 Volnay Clos du Château des Ducs 1er Cru was de-stemmed by hand like the Mitans and Pezerolles. It has a deep, transparent, delineated bouquet with mineral-rich red fruit, rose petals and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied with a silky smooth entry, a light marine influence here with a hint of seaweed towards the persistent finish. Excellent. Drink: 2024-2045. (Oct 2020)"

93-95 points/'Don't miss!/Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 50+ year old vines; a monopole of the domaine; destemmed manually; while the domaine has not yet decided exactly how it will do so, on the label there will be some form of commemoration denoting that 2019 was Michel Lafarge's 70th vintage). A beguiling array of spice elements complements the ripe, fresh and pure aromas of red and dark currant, violet, lavender and rose petal. The lilting and lacy medium weight flavors also brim with minerality on the moderately austere and hugely long finish. As it often is, this brilliant effort has a Zen-like sense of harmony. Drink: 2034+. (Apr 2021)"

94 points Charles Curtis, MW (Decanter): "A labour of love, this is destemmed by hand, requiring the better part of a day for seven people. Gently fermented and aged two winters in older casks, this marked the 70th harvest for Michel Lafarge. The wine is stupendous, with a lovely, silky plenitude of fruit and a deceptively approachable texture that shows its density in its great length. Drinking Window: 2024-2039. (Oct 2020)"

Bill Nanson (Burgundy Report): "(Hand destemmed. 70th vintage of Michel so will make a change to the label). The widest nose, open, pure, super-fine, then it’s also deep too. Energy, very faint tannin, more middle presence. Growing insistence. The best wine in the cellar for sure but also a wine that, easy as it is to approach, you should wait for the longest too. Vibrant wine. (Nov 2020)"