Dominique Lafon Beaune Vignes Franches 1er Cru 2019 (750ML)

91 BH / 91-94 BH / 89-91 WA 

Tasting note: A more floral suffused nose reflects notes of essence of red berries, spice, violet and lavender. The sleek, delicious and beautifully detailed medium weight flavors conclude in a refreshing if slightly austere finale. This is really quite pretty with enough underlying material and structure to reward up to a decade of cellaring. Outstanding. –Allen Meadows, Burghound

From the same grape supplier as the Beaune Grèves, the Vignes Franches is made from very old vines with good plant material. Pale pink-purple, very even, with the most delicious sensual, but balanced fruit on the nose. Seamless ripe cherry fruit with a little touch of raspberry, long fine and seamless, this would be my choice. Tasted: October 2020 –Jasper Morris, Inside Burgundy

Produced from fruit purchased from a conventionally farmed parcel (which I regularly traverse when walking through the Beaune vineyards), Lafon's 2019 Beaune 1er Cru Les Vignes Franches exhibits aromas of sweet red berries, loamy soil, peonies and spices. Medium-bodied, supple and charming, it's built around fine, powdery tannins and succulent acids.—William Kelley, The Wine Advocate