1996 Comtes Lafon Meursault Clos de la Barre

Comtes Lafon’s white Burgundies are among the most admired in the world. Robert M. Parker Jr. has written that the domaine’s wines are “one of the reference points for white Burgundy.” Owned by the Lafon family and now run by Dominique Lafon, the domaine owns 34 acres of vineyards planted to Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Based in Meursault, the domaine’s wines are Meursault, Montrachet and Volnay Santenots-du-Milieu. Parker has written that “low yields, ripe fruit, and a non-interventionist winemaking process are the norm at Lafon. The deep, cold cellars allow for a slow elevage….” Annual production is fewer than 5,000 cases.

Clos de la Barre is a 5-acre, villages designated vineyard in the appellation of Meursault, in Burgundy’s Cote de Beaune. It is the monopole of Domaine des Comtes and is entirely enclosed with the walls of the domaine. The vineyard faces east and is on a slight slope, with soil of shallow clay on a subsoil of limestone. “The quality of Close de Barr is outstanding,” according to Robert M. Parker Jr.

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.