2023 Michel Lafarge - Volnay (750ml)

Domaine Michel Lafarge was established in Volnay in the late nineteenth century and remains fully family owned. Frédéric Lafarge and his wife Chantal run the estate today, following Michel's retirement, with the next generation already working alongside them. The domaine farms about twelve hectares, mostly in Volnay along with parcels in Beaune and Pommard, and has been fully biodynamic since 1997, one of the earliest Burgundy estates to adopt the practice.

This village Volnay is drawn from several estate parcels on shallow, stony limestone and clay, harvested entirely by hand. The grapes are rigorously sorted, with a measured share of whole clusters when fully ripe, then fermented with native yeasts in open vats using gentle extraction. Aging runs twelve to fifteen months in older barrels with no new oak, and the wine is bottled without fining and only light filtration if needed.

The wine shows the classic Volnay signature of violet and rose, with lively red cherry and a touch of white pepper on the palate. It has very good grip, smoothly charming, with the fruit returning easily on the finish. Serve it with roast duck, grilled lamb, or a soft cow's-milk cheese.