95 points Tim Atkin, MW (Decanter): "The domaine's holdings of Santenots are sizeable at 3.9ha, although the younger vines are used to make Dominique Lafon's village Volnay. This richer, denser, sappier wine has subtle reduction with some spice and texture from 10% whole bunches, accompanied by filigree tannins and a core of plum and dark cherry fruit. Drink: 2024-2032. (Nov 2018)"
93-95 points Fine Wine Review: "Here we have more structure than in the preceding wines, as one would expect. There’s good acidity here, and depth the the red and dark berry fruits, and lightness on the palate. (11/19/19)"
94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2017 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru has a strict, almost Pommard-like bouquet of dark berry fruit, touches of iodine and an underlying marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, chalky tannins, a crisp line of acidity and a vibrant, tensile finish that delivers plenty of horsepower. This is superb. Closure is Diam 30 Organic. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting. Drink: 2023-2045. (Jan 2022)"
93 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Clear mid crimson colour. Excellent definition to the fruit, pure and poised, with medium plus intensity. A fine sense of nobility in this distinguished wine which as yet remains discreet. Bottled with a DIAM 30 organic closure. (Sep 2021)"
93 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2017 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots-du-Milieu confirms its strong showing from barrel, soaring from the glass with scents of ripe cherries, red berries, rose petals, orange rind and a deft touch of toasty new oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with melting tannins, succulent acids and a charming, supple profile that makes it hard to resist. Drink: 2022-2040. (Jan 2020)"
92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2017 Santenots du Milieu chez Lafon was the only wine that was a whisper grumpy at the time of my visit, as it was a touch reductive. But, with a bit of swirling, it opened up nicely to show scents of plums, pomegranate, black cherries, woodsmoke, fresh thyme, gamebird, espresso, a complex base of dark soil tones and cedar. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and quite soil-driven, with a good core of fruit, fine-grained tannins and a long, tangy and nascently complex finish. This is going to be lovely and is quite reminiscent of the 1985 when it was young and I had the good fortune to drink it with a bit of regularity. 2026-2065. (Nov/Dec 2018)"
92 points/'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 40+ year old vines planted in shallow, high clay content soil sitting on a bed of solid rock). A super-fresh nose is comprised by notes of essence of red pinot fruit, spice and lavender. The succulent if not especially dense flavors exude a subtle minerality before concluding in solidly powerful, complex and impressively persistent finish. This is not going to wow you with its concentration, but I like the overall sense of harmony and balance. (Apr 2020)"
93-95 points Fine Wine Review: "Here we have more structure than in the preceding wines, as one would expect. There’s good acidity here, and depth the the red and dark berry fruits, and lightness on the palate. (11/19/19)"
94 points Neal Martin (Vinous): "The 2017 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru has a strict, almost Pommard-like bouquet of dark berry fruit, touches of iodine and an underlying marine influence. The palate is medium-bodied with sappy red berry fruit, chalky tannins, a crisp line of acidity and a vibrant, tensile finish that delivers plenty of horsepower. This is superb. Closure is Diam 30 Organic. Tasted blind at the Burgfest 2017 tasting. Drink: 2023-2045. (Jan 2022)"
93 points Jasper Morris, MW: "Clear mid crimson colour. Excellent definition to the fruit, pure and poised, with medium plus intensity. A fine sense of nobility in this distinguished wine which as yet remains discreet. Bottled with a DIAM 30 organic closure. (Sep 2021)"
93 points William Kelley (Wine Advocate): "The 2017 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots-du-Milieu confirms its strong showing from barrel, soaring from the glass with scents of ripe cherries, red berries, rose petals, orange rind and a deft touch of toasty new oak. On the palate, it's medium to full-bodied, ample and fleshy, with melting tannins, succulent acids and a charming, supple profile that makes it hard to resist. Drink: 2022-2040. (Jan 2020)"
92+ points John Gilman (View From the Cellar): "The 2017 Santenots du Milieu chez Lafon was the only wine that was a whisper grumpy at the time of my visit, as it was a touch reductive. But, with a bit of swirling, it opened up nicely to show scents of plums, pomegranate, black cherries, woodsmoke, fresh thyme, gamebird, espresso, a complex base of dark soil tones and cedar. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and quite soil-driven, with a good core of fruit, fine-grained tannins and a long, tangy and nascently complex finish. This is going to be lovely and is quite reminiscent of the 1985 when it was young and I had the good fortune to drink it with a bit of regularity. 2026-2065. (Nov/Dec 2018)"
92 points/'Outstanding,' Allen Meadows (Burghound): "(from 40+ year old vines planted in shallow, high clay content soil sitting on a bed of solid rock). A super-fresh nose is comprised by notes of essence of red pinot fruit, spice and lavender. The succulent if not especially dense flavors exude a subtle minerality before concluding in solidly powerful, complex and impressively persistent finish. This is not going to wow you with its concentration, but I like the overall sense of harmony and balance. (Apr 2020)"
| Product SKU | 334470 |
| Producer | Comtes Lafon |
| Country | France |
| Region | Burgundy |
| SubRegion | Côtes de Beaune |
| Appellation | Volnay |
| Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Size | 750ml |
| Color | Red |
| ABV | 13.5% |
| Ships To |
