2022 Michel Lafarge - Volnay Clos du Ch. des Ducs (750ml)

Michel Lafarge has held sole ownership of Clos du Château des Ducs since 1900, making it one of the domaine's oldest and most closely tended holdings. Today Frédéric and Chantal Lafarge continue to farm the parcel organically and biodynamically, treating it as something of a house specialty alongside the domaine's other celebrated Volnay premier crus.

This walled monopole sits directly behind the Lafarge winery, at around two hundred ninety meters on a southeast-facing slope, planted with vines around forty-five years old in deep brown clay over limestone. The grapes are entirely destemmed by hand, fermented with ambient yeasts over two to three weeks, and aged about eighteen months in mostly neutral barrels chosen to let the site's natural minerality lead.

The wine shows black cherry and red currant, with violet, star anise, and rose petal over a base of crushed stone. Medium to full-bodied, it is velvety and layered, with powdery tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish. It pairs well with roast game birds, braised veal, or a soft-ripened cheese served at cellar temperature.