The "Filet Mignon" of Volnay in Rare 1.5L Magnum
2020 Domaine des Comtes Lafon 1er Cru Santenots-Du-Milieu Volnay Magnum
Most collectors know Dominique Lafon for his white wines, but those in the know understand that his Santenots-du-Milieu is the true hidden treasure of the cellar—a Volnay with the soul of a Grand Cru. While the Santenots vineyard is large and variable, Lafon’s parcel is located in the Santenots-du-Milieu ("the middle"), a specific lieu-dit universally regarded as the absolute finest section of the hill. It possesses the perfect combination of drainage and clay depth, producing a wine that stand…
Read the full story →
The "Filet" of the Vineyard: This is not generic Santenots; it is Santenots-du-Milieu, the mid-slope sweet spot that boasts the oldest vines and the best drainage, producing a wine of significantly more depth than its neighbors.
Magnum Longevity: The 2020 vintage is defined by its massive structure and concentration. Bottling it in 1.5L format ensures this beast of a wine ages gracefully, protecting it for the long haul.
$399.99
Our Price
Free shipping on orders over $85
Tasting notes
Aroma
A brooding, complex nose of black cherry, dark chocolate, warm earth, and violets, with a distinct savory note of iron and smoked meat
Palate
Deep, rich, and muscular on the palate. This is not a light, wispy Volnay; it is dense and chewy, with layers of black fruit and distinct clay-driven tannins that demand patience or a large cut of beef.
Red Wine Body Profile
Light
Bold
Body Profile
Delicate
39/100 Intensity
Light
Bold
39.0/100
Feather-light
Delicate
Lifted
Structured
Deep
Grapes
100% Pinot Noir
ABV
13.0%
Serving
54–59°F
Window
2025–2048
In Detail
Sourced from the single finest parcel in Santenots, this is the most powerful, age-worthy red in the Comtes Lafon arsenal
Most collectors know Dominique Lafon for his white wines, but those in the know understand that his Santenots-du-Milieu is the true hidden treasure of the cellar—a Volnay with the soul of a Grand Cru. While the Santenots vineyard is large and variable, Lafon’s parcel is located in the Santenots-du-Milieu ("the middle"), a specific lieu-dit universally regarded as the absolute finest section of the hill. It possesses the perfect combination of drainage and clay depth, producing a wine that stands head and shoulders above a standard Volnay.
Here is the twist: Geographically, this soil is rich, heavy clay—the kind of dirt that produces immense power and density. Because of this, the wine drinks with the broad shoulders and muscle of a Pommard, defying the "delicate" stereotype of the village. It is a paradox of a wine: it has the perfume of Volnay but the structural weight of a Corton.
We have secured this 2020 in extremely rare 1.5L Magnums, which is the only way you should be buying a vintage like this. The 2020 growing season produced reds of immense concentration and color. This is a "vin de garde" (a wine for keeping) in the truest sense. In a standard bottle, it will need a decade; in magnum, it will evolve glacially, turning into a masterpiece over the next 20 to 30 years.
