2009 Dominique Lafon Meursault

Dominique Lafon is managing director of Domaine des Comtes Lafon, one of Burgundy’s most distinguished estates. But since 2008 Dominique has also been producing very limited production wines under his own label. Though his company is officially a negociant, most of the Dominique Lafon wines are domaine bottlings from vineyards owned or leased by Domaine des Comtes Lafon. Dominique Lafon offers Premier Cru and village whites from Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet, and Premier and village reds from Volnay. Vinous has noted that Dominque Lafon’s style with his own label is “a little bit more laid back and restrained” in comparison to the traditional style of Comtes Lafon. Vinous added that Dominique’s “first vintages are quite promising.”

Meursault is one of the trio of famous Chardonnay producing appellations in the Côte d’Or. Although both red and white wines are allowed to be produced in the Meursault appellation, 98% of Meursault is Chardonnay. With a total of 2,500 acres of vineyards, there are no Grands Crus but 325 acres of Premiers Crus, which are divided into 13 main vineyards. As wine writers have often noted, Meursault’s fame is based on its Premiers Crus, including the prestigious Les Perrières, Les Genevrières and Les Charmes. Because the water table is low in Meursault, many producers have cellars here, including Comte Lafon and Jean-Francois Coche-Dury. Robert M. Parker Jr. wrote “the Premiers Crus, as well as the finest Villages Meursaults from the top vineyards, are among the easiest drinking white burgundies in the world. Why? High-quality Meursault is opulent, almost unctuous, with a fatness and a juicy, succulent, buttery, hazelnut and apple, peach-like fruitiness that often roars from the glass.”

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.