Volnay Clos du Chateau des Ducs Michel Lafarge 2020 (750ML)

94-96 Points, Neal Martin, Vinous: "The 2020 Volnay Clos du Château des Ducs 1er Cru has been de-stemmed by hand since 2016. It has another very mineral-driven bouquet that unfolds marvellously, black cherry and bilberry, crushed rock and sea spray aromas. The palate is medium-bodied with fine grain tannins, a lovely symmetry here, well judged acidity, poised and very persistent on the energetic finish. Sophisticated (as usual). (Drink between 2026-2050)" 12/21

97 Points, Charles Curtis MW, Decanter: "Surpassingly elegant mulberry and black cherry fruit, with notes of spice, smoke and a saline mineral firmness. Lovely concentration and plenty of tannic grip, yet it is very subtle at the end. This half-hectare clos is a monopole of the domaine, located right in the village of Volnay. Certified biodynamic, it is a wine that consistently unites elegance and power. Frédéric Lafarge destems the fruit and ferments on native yeasts before ageing in older casks (only 15% new). (Drink between 2025-2060)" 11/21

94-96 Points, William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Clos du Château des Ducs is liable to overshadow even the emblematic Clos des Chênes this year. Offering up a profound bouquet of blackberries, sweet spices, rose petals, orange rind, summer truffles and forest floor, it's medium to full-bodied, velvety and immensely concentrated, with lively acids, abundant but almost imperceptible tannins and a long, saline finish." 01/22

94-96 Points, Allen Meadows, Burghound: "This also displays a touch of bourgeon de cassis though it's sufficiently subtle that I doubt it will last. More interesting are the very punchy and beautifully delineated medium-bodied flavors that brim with focused power and minerality on the chalky, moderately austere and hugely long finish. This is jaw droppingly good; indeed it's a veritable 'wow' wine. (Drink starting 2032)" 04/22

94-96 Points, Jasper Morris MW, Inside Burgundy: "Fine mid purple, with a super-sensual nose. A really fine strong fruit attack at the front, offering a firmer structure than the Clos des Chênes and a slight nuttiness behind. The tannins are more present, but what a wealth of fruit is there to cover them. Very long indeed, another magical Lafarge wine." 10/21

96 Points, John Gilman, View from the Cellar: "The Domaine Lafarge 2020 Clos des Chênes is a gorgeous young wine. The bouquet soars from the glass in a sappy blend of black cherries, plums, raw cocoa, gamebird, summer truffles a beautifully complex base of dark soil tones, woodsmoke, loads of violets and a touch of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, sappy, full-bodied and very, very pure, with marvelous soil signature, a sappy core, lovely focus and grip and a very long, fine-grained, tangy and properly youthful finish. A truly great wine in the making. 2040-2100+." #96 12/21