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

A true monopole in every sense — this walled clos sits literally in the garden of the Lafarge domaine, where the family has held the keys since 1900. Certified organic and biodynamic, the vineyard's 45-year-old Pinot Noir vines grow on deep brown clay over limestone and gravel at 290 meters, on a gentle southeast-facing slope. Hand-destemmed, fermented with ambient yeasts, and aged 18 months in mostly neutral barrels, the 2022 shows plums, sweet red berries, peonies, rose petals, and dried orange rind, with a medium-to-full-bodied palate, velvety texture, and long, powdery tannins. Consistently one of the domaine's top wines — a benchmark for Volnay elegance.