2009 Comtes Lafon Puligny Montrachet Champs Gains

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.

Puligny-Montrachet, according to Burgundy writer Clive Coates, “is the greatest white wine commune on earth.” Though other reviewers are not always as extravagant in their praise, there is no question that the appellation’s wines are generally the most lauded Chardonnays in the world. Puligny-Montrachet the commune is tiny, with fewer than 500 residents. Yet the appellation named for it has 1,250 acres of vineyards, including 76 acres of Grands Crus and 247 acres of Premiers Crus. Its four famous Grands Crus are Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. There are 26 Premiers Crus completely or partly in the appellation. The Premiers and Grands Crus vineyards are on slopes that eventually rise to 1,300 feet and become total rock. In his admiration for this appellation, Coates added “The top Montrachets, Chevaliers and Bâtards are wines to drink on bended knees, with heartfelt and humble thanks.”

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.