When Michel Lafarge died in January 2020, the village of Volnay lost an unassuming star.
Michel’s son Frédéric has been front and centre here since 1978 however, so the domaine is in excellent shape. Frédéric and Chantal Lafarge’s daughter Clothilde joined in 2018 and has brought the domaine into the digital age with her Instagram posts.
The Clos du Château des Ducs was bought in 1900 by Michel Lafarge’s father. The first wines bottled at the domaine in 1934 included Clos des Chênes, the domaine’s largest Volnay premier cru holding.
Red wines are 100% destemmed. The domaine converted to biodynamics in 1996.
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When Michel Lafarge died in January 2020, the village of Volnay lost an unassuming star.
Michel’s son Frédéric has been front and centre here since 1978 however, so the domaine is in excellent shape. Frédéric and Chantal Lafarge’s daughter Clothilde joined in 2018 and has brought the domaine into the digital age with her Instagram posts.
The Clos du Château des Ducs was bought in 1900 by Michel Lafarge’s father. The first wines bottled at the domaine in 1934 included Clos des Chênes, the domaine’s largest Volnay premier cru holding.
Red wines are 100% destemmed. The domaine converted to biodynamics in 1996.
BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ RAISINS DORÉS
This comes from a parcel of 80-year-old vines of Aligoté doré, the superior Aligoté clone. Nicely flinty on the nose, this has a struck-match rigour alongside its habitual apple and pear fruit, then fleshing out into a white peach mid-palate, which in turn finishes salty and granular. Really good, in an early drinking vein.
Corney & Barrow Score 17
Recommended drinking from 2021 - 2023
£95.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BOURGOGNE PASSETOUTGRAIN L’EXCEPTION (sold out)
This is 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Gamay, inter-planted. The two varieties tend to reach maturity at the same time. These are very old vines – over 90 years old. The nose greets you with upliftingly bright red cherry aromas, a sprinkle of black pepper and a dash of citrus zest. The palate is so harmonious, even at this early stage, with a startling purity of raspberry and redcurrant fruit. The freshness and cherry fruit of the Gamay works brilliantly alongside the more savoury Pinot. Aged in used oak barrels.
Corney & Barrow Score 17+
Recommended drinking from 2022 – 2027
£95.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BEAUNE 1ER CRU CLOS DES AIGROTS*
The domaine has a plot of 45 year old vines in Aigrots. Wet-earth, clay-like minerality on the nose, even a hint of iodine or bloodiness. The palate has wonderfully immediate raspberry fruit, which is tranquil and measured. Nothing frivolous or exuberant here, just an exceedingly well-heeled wine, exuding poise. 20% new oak, which is the maximum at the domaine.
Corney & Barrow Score 17-17.5
Recommended drinking from 2024 – 2034
£320.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY*
This comes from four lower-lying parcels, located at opposite sides of the appellation (three in the north and one in the south), totalling 1.5 hectares. As Frédéric Lafarge explains it, the aim is to give an overview of Volnay. A multifaceted nose, of pretty red berries, earthy, rocky minerality and finely crushed black pepper. On the palate, rose petals fill the mouth on the entry, with fine tannins gently framing the red berried flavours. The mid-palate is pure and faintly animalistic, with herbal notes lingering on the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2023 – 2029
£240.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY VENDANGES SÉLECTIONÉES*
The Vendanges Sélectionnées is a blend of four parcels from the heart of Volnay, just below the line of premiers crus, totalling one hectare. Beneath the dancing red berry perfume, there is a darker core of brambly fruit, liquorice even, with a hint of sweetness. The palate is oh-so-pure, the impressive depth of fruit seemingly no impediment to the stunning Lafarge clarity of expression. A little grip on the finish from the filigree tannins points to a wine of ageing potential. 10% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2024 – 2029
£270.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY 1ER CRU CLOS DES CHÊNES*
In many ways the quintessential wine of the domaine, Clos des Chênes is the most forceful and assertive of the premiers crus. Notably a shade deeper in colour, this has the most delightful mineral-rich nose, of earthiness, tea leaves and a hint of leather, almost giving a glimpse into the future. The palate is both grounded and airborne, the fruit flavours poised between red and black, the mineral expression cranked up to full and the tannins melt-in-your-mouth fine. An almost endless finish. 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2026 – 2036
£610.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY 1ER CRU CLOS DU CHÂTEAU DES DUCS*
The vineyard behind the domaine and a monopole, which is hand destemmed, by family and friends of the Lafarges. Much more reticent than Clos des Chênes on the nose, yet supremely fine, reluctantly giving up notes of raspberry, red cherry and spices, with a rather beautiful moist earth aspect. The palate is more savoury, even showing a little mushroom, alongside its crystalline red berried purity. Filigree-fine tannins usher the palate through to a long, shapely finish. 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2025-2038
£740.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
MEURSAULT
Offered but not tasted.
£205.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BEAUNE BLANC CLOS DES AIGROTS 1ER CRU*
Offered but not tasted.
£320.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR*
Offered but not tasted.
£110.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Beaune Greves 1er Cru*
Offered but not tasted.
£365.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets*
Offered but not tasted.
£510.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Volnay Mitans 1er Cru*
Offered but not tasted.
£560.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Volnay Les Pitures 1er Cru Magnum*
Offered but not tasted.
£565.00 / CASE OF 3 MAGNUMS, IN BOND UK
Pommard Les Pezerolles* (sold out)
Offered but not tasted.
£555.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
* Wines marked in this way will be allocated please speak to your salesperson.
.
BOURGOGNE ALIGOTÉ RAISINS DORÉS
This comes from a parcel of 80-year-old vines of Aligoté doré, the superior Aligoté clone. Nicely flinty on the nose, this has a struck-match rigour alongside its habitual apple and pear fruit, then fleshing out into a white peach mid-palate, which in turn finishes salty and granular. Really good, in an early drinking vein.
Corney & Barrow Score 17
Recommended drinking from 2021 - 2023
£95.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BOURGOGNE PASSETOUTGRAIN L’EXCEPTION (sold out)
This is 50% Pinot Noir, 50% Gamay, inter-planted. The two varieties tend to reach maturity at the same time. These are very old vines – over 90 years old. The nose greets you with upliftingly bright red cherry aromas, a sprinkle of black pepper and a dash of citrus zest. The palate is so harmonious, even at this early stage, with a startling purity of raspberry and redcurrant fruit. The freshness and cherry fruit of the Gamay works brilliantly alongside the more savoury Pinot. Aged in used oak barrels.
Corney & Barrow Score 17+
Recommended drinking from 2022 – 2027
£95.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BEAUNE 1ER CRU CLOS DES AIGROTS*
The domaine has a plot of 45 year old vines in Aigrots. Wet-earth, clay-like minerality on the nose, even a hint of iodine or bloodiness. The palate has wonderfully immediate raspberry fruit, which is tranquil and measured. Nothing frivolous or exuberant here, just an exceedingly well-heeled wine, exuding poise. 20% new oak, which is the maximum at the domaine.
Corney & Barrow Score 17-17.5
Recommended drinking from 2024 – 2034
£320.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY*
This comes from four lower-lying parcels, located at opposite sides of the appellation (three in the north and one in the south), totalling 1.5 hectares. As Frédéric Lafarge explains it, the aim is to give an overview of Volnay. A multifaceted nose, of pretty red berries, earthy, rocky minerality and finely crushed black pepper. On the palate, rose petals fill the mouth on the entry, with fine tannins gently framing the red berried flavours. The mid-palate is pure and faintly animalistic, with herbal notes lingering on the finish.
Corney & Barrow Score 17.5
Recommended drinking from 2023 – 2029
£240.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY VENDANGES SÉLECTIONÉES*
The Vendanges Sélectionnées is a blend of four parcels from the heart of Volnay, just below the line of premiers crus, totalling one hectare. Beneath the dancing red berry perfume, there is a darker core of brambly fruit, liquorice even, with a hint of sweetness. The palate is oh-so-pure, the impressive depth of fruit seemingly no impediment to the stunning Lafarge clarity of expression. A little grip on the finish from the filigree tannins points to a wine of ageing potential. 10% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2024 – 2029
£270.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY 1ER CRU CLOS DES CHÊNES*
In many ways the quintessential wine of the domaine, Clos des Chênes is the most forceful and assertive of the premiers crus. Notably a shade deeper in colour, this has the most delightful mineral-rich nose, of earthiness, tea leaves and a hint of leather, almost giving a glimpse into the future. The palate is both grounded and airborne, the fruit flavours poised between red and black, the mineral expression cranked up to full and the tannins melt-in-your-mouth fine. An almost endless finish. 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 19
Recommended drinking from 2026 – 2036
£610.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
VOLNAY 1ER CRU CLOS DU CHÂTEAU DES DUCS*
The vineyard behind the domaine and a monopole, which is hand destemmed, by family and friends of the Lafarges. Much more reticent than Clos des Chênes on the nose, yet supremely fine, reluctantly giving up notes of raspberry, red cherry and spices, with a rather beautiful moist earth aspect. The palate is more savoury, even showing a little mushroom, alongside its crystalline red berried purity. Filigree-fine tannins usher the palate through to a long, shapely finish. 20% new oak.
Corney & Barrow Score 18
Recommended drinking from 2025-2038
£740.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
MEURSAULT
Offered but not tasted.
£205.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BEAUNE BLANC CLOS DES AIGROTS 1ER CRU*
Offered but not tasted.
£320.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
BOURGOGNE PINOT NOIR*
Offered but not tasted.
£110.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Beaune Greves 1er Cru*
Offered but not tasted.
£365.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Volnay 1er Cru Les Caillerets*
Offered but not tasted.
£510.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Volnay Mitans 1er Cru*
Offered but not tasted.
£560.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
Volnay Les Pitures 1er Cru Magnum*
Offered but not tasted.
£565.00 / CASE OF 3 MAGNUMS, IN BOND UK
Pommard Les Pezerolles* (sold out)
Offered but not tasted.
£555.00 / CASE OF 6 BOTTLES, IN BOND UK
* Wines marked in this way will be allocated please speak to your salesperson.