Domaine Michel Lafarge Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chenes 2023
This Volnay 1er Cru Clos des Chênes 2023 from Domaine Michel Lafarge unfolds with a refined weave of dark berry and plum signatures, enlivened by undercurrents of pencil shaving and bay leaf, all enveloped in quietly profound energy worthy of its storied terroir. While elegant and poised today, its density gestures toward compelling development with time in cellar.
Tasting
- Aroma
- dark berries, pencil shaving, bay leaf
- Palate
- medium body, saline freshness, grainy tannins
- Finish
- understated and lingering
Pairs with
- roasted duck
- venison stew
- mushroom risotto
Vineyard & Cellar
- Soil
- The bedrock geology of Clos de Chênes seems to influence a major transition in soil and terroir across the vineyard. The upper portion of Clos de Chênes has whiter soils and tends to produce wines with more structure, tannin, and austerity than the redder, richer soils at the bottom of the vineyard. Interestingly, the upper portion of the vineyard with whiter soils also has a slightly convex shape to the slope. This indicates that the soil is likely shallower, whereas the lower portion with redder soil is more concave, providing a small space, or “belly” for soil, and nutrients, to accumulate
- Vinification
- 100% de-stemmed, pneumatic pressing, indigenous yeast fermentation, light settling. Aged for 18 months, unfiltered.
From the Archive
Terroir: Shallow, red clay soils on limestone. Located at the intersection of the 4 premier cru vineyards of Volnay: Clos des Chênes, Les Caillerets, Taille Pieds, and En Champans. Moderate slope facing southeast.
Site: The Clos des Chênes is a large vineyard occupying most of the midslope, south of Volnay. Clos de Chênes has excellent neighbors, with Les Caillerets to the south, Taille Pieds to the north, and En Champans to the northeast. The slope is moderate and faces southeast. This position on the slope provides a clean, fresh breeze.
Geology and
Lafarge Parcel: Frédéric believes that location is everything for this complex vineyard. The Lafarge parcel of 55 year-old vines is in the Northeast corner of the vineyard and is the first parcel to the south of Taille Pieds at the intersection of the 4 premier cru vineyards of Volnay (Clos de Chênes, Les Caillerets, Taille Pieds, and En Champans). The depth of the soils in the Lafarge parcels varies from 28-38 cm, but Frédéric only works the first 5-10 cm of the soil. The Lafarge parcel is on the lower portion of the vineyard with the convex slope where the soils are more red and more iron-rich, which give the wines their original, generous expression with great potential for aging.