2005 Domaine Michel Lafarge, Volnay Premier Cru 1x750ml

Vinous 90+

Deep, saturated red with ruby tones. Reticent but pure aromas of black cherry, bitter chocolate and mint. Sweet and silky on entry, then concentrated and lively in the middle, offering very ripe but vibrant flavors of blackberry, licorice and spice. Finishes very long, with a medicinal reserve and excellent thrust. Remains light on its feet in spite of the power of the vintage. [Stephen Tanzer, 01/03/2008]

Robert Parker 91-92

The Lafarage 2005 Volnay 1er Cru is pure Chanlin, and that will be the make-up of future vintages, as a newly acquired parcel of Mitans has allowed them to reach critical mass for a separate bottling. (They reasoned that there were too many customers familiar with the “Volnay 1er Cru” label to risk replacing it with “Chanlin”.) Tart red raspberry and currant, bitter-sweet floral perfume, and pink grapefruit zest in the nose lead to an overtly chalky, brightly-fruited, subtly floral and spicy palate presence. Like most of Lafarge’s wines, this certainly doesn’t lack for structure, but the tannins are fine and don’t get in the way of its infectiously juicy fresh fruit. Revisit it in 3-5 years. [David Schildknecht, 06/01/2007]