Lafarge Volnay 1er cru Mitans 2005

92-95 points Fine Wine Review: "The Volnay-Mitans is a new entrant in the lineup; previously, Lafarge had combined it with the Chanlains in the Volnay 1er Cru, but with the addition of some more vines, it now produces a large enough quantity (5 barrels, about 175 cases) to be bottled on its own. Part of the vines are 75-years old, part 35-years old. The beetroot and red currant aromas make a slightly broader nose than in the previous wine, but the finesse and minerality are still there. In the mouth, the wine shows nervy, mineral red fruit with some peach, medium weight, and a fair amount of tannin on the finish. It should be a real eye-opener with a little age. (Issue #115; 2007)"

92 points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "I did not taste the Volnay “Premier Cru” cuvée on this visit as it had just been racked, but I did get to taste another new bottling from Domaine Lafarge this year, the Volnay “Mitans”. Previously the small parcel of Mitans owned by the family had been blended into the premier cru bottling, but with the addition of another parcel purchased in conjunction with the Beaune “les Aigrots”, there is now sufficient quantity to make a Mitans bottling. The 2005 is a truly lovely inaugural vintage for the Mitans, as the bouquet is a classy blend of cherries, red plums, chalky soil tones and a violet topnote. On the palate the wine is medium-full, complex and classy, with great purity and depth, and a very long, elegant and intensely flavored finish. While the Mitans has a lovely structural chassis under its suave fruit, there is not quite the same cut and grip here as found in the Grèves. But this is yet another stellar bottle of 2005 Lafarge, and a most welcome further addition to the lineup. 2010-2030. (Jan/Feb 2010)"

92 points Allen Meadows (Burghound): "A wonderfully elegant, pure and utterly harmonious nose is airy and layered with mineral infused ripe red pinot fruit that dissolves seamlessly into supple, detailed, dusty, firm and driving flavors that are perfectly balanced and stunningly long on the linear finish. This is expressive yet cool and one is struck more by the sheer transparency than the depth though there is no lack of that either. A classic and achingly beautiful Volnay. Drink: 2013+. (Apr 2008)"

91-92 points David Schildknecht (Wine Advocate): "The new, dedicated Lafarge bottling of 2005 Volnay Mitans also displays exotic florality and faintly bitter citrus zest and fruit pit character to accompany its ripe but tart cherry and red currant fruit. A rich meat broth character and subtle minerality add depth and complexity on the palate, and this finishes with fine tannins and multi-registered fruit, meat and mineral notes. I imagine this formidably-concentrated wine being a promising candidate for at least 6-8 years of aging, though given the absence of any specific track record, one might want to check in on it sooner. (6/28/07)"

(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)