Comtes Lafon Volnay Santenots du Milieu 1er Cru 2017 (750ML)

95 DE / 94 VM / 93 WA / 93 JM / 93 BH

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.—Tim Atkin MW, Decanter

The 2017 Volnay Les Santenots 1er Cru has a strict, almost Pommardlike 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.-- Neal Martin, Vinous Media

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.—William Kelly, The Wine Advocate

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. Tasted: September 2021.—Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

Tasting note: (opened from personal storage). A super-fresh if somewhat brooding nose is comprised by notes of essence of red pinot fruit, spice and lavender that really helped from being in a decanter for 30 minutes first. The succulent and reasonably concentrated medium weight flavors exude a subtle minerality before concluding in a compact, powerful, complex and impressively persistent finish. This seems to have put on weight since I last reviewed it and I like the overall sense of harmony and balance. In sum, this is evolving nicely though I underscore that it still needs at least another 5 or so years. In a word, lovely.—Allen Meadows, Burghound