Domaine des Comtes Lafon Volnay Premier Cru Les Santenots du Milieu 2011 750ml

Tasted blind at the Burgundy 2011 horizontal tasting in Beaune. The Volnay 1er Cru les Santenots 2011 from Comtes-Lafon has an agreeable bouquet with red cherries, raspberry and dried flowers, hints of lavender and rosemary developing with time. The palate is nicely balanced with fine tannins and well-judged acidity. It is a more feminine and lighter style of Volnay, but balanced, dovetailing into a rather conservative but fresh finish. This is a composed and refined showing.

• Country: France
• Region: Burgundy
• Appellation: Cote De Beaune
• Sub Appellation: Volnay
• Size: 750ml
• Color: Red

Varietal

Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world’s most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means ‘black pine’ in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.