History and Headquarters
The Domaine des Comtes Lafon is based in Meursault on the Côte de Beaune in Burgundy, France. In 1894, Jules Lafon married Marie Boch, whose family owned an estate in Meursault. René Lafon took over the estate in 1956 and gave it the name Domaine des Comtes Lafon. Dominique Lafon took over the running of the business in 1987; by 1993, the sublease agreements had ended.
Vine Cultivation
The estate was converted to organic viticulture in 1995 and has been farmed biodynamically since 1998. For the recorded period, low yields averaging around 35 hectolitres per hectare were stated. The vineyard areas include sites in Meursault Village, Meursault Premier Cru, part of the Montrachet Grand Cru, as well as Premier-Cru sites in Volnay and Monthélie.
Varieties and Wines
The white wines are made from Chardonnay, the red wines from Pinot Noir. The portfolio includes Meursault Clos de la Barre and Désirée, as well as the Meursault Premier-Cru wines Bouchères, Poruzots, Gouttes d’Or, Charmes, Genevrières and Perrières. In addition, there are Montrachet Grand Cru, along with the red Volnay Premier-Cru wines Santenots-du-Milieu, Champans and Clos des Chênes. Clos de la Barre is marketed as Meursault Village, and Santenots-du-Milieu under the Volnay Premier Cru appellation.
Cellar Work
Chardonnay is pressed as whole grapes, settled in cool tanks and then fermented and matured in wood. The proportion of new wood is typically 25 to 40 percent for Premier Crus and 100 percent for Montrachet, before the wine is racked into older wood. Pinot Noir is fully destemmed, vinified in stainless steel and aged for about 18 to 22 months with around 30 percent new wood. Bottling takes place as far as possible without fining and filtration.
