Domaine des Comtes Lafon is one of the great names of white Burgundy, a family estate in Meursault whose wines set the standard for the village. Under Dominique Lafon it became a biodynamic reference point, prized for Chardonnay of rare precision alongside a small run of ageworthy Volnay reds.
A Meursault estate built on great vineyards
The domaine grew from plots assembled by Comte Jules Lafon in the late nineteenth century, including a treasured parcel of Le Montrachet acquired in 1919. Dominique Lafon, the fourth generation, brought the vines back under the family's own hands in the late 1980s, banned synthetic treatments in 1992 and had the estate certified biodynamic by 1998. Its heart is a run of Meursault premiers crus, Charmes, Genevrières and Perrières among them. The village Clos de la Barre is a monopole, and since 2011 the range has widened with Poruzots and Bouchères. If the region is new to you, our Burgundy collection is the place to start.
The Comtes Lafon style and signature wines
The whites are the calling card, Chardonnay that is rich yet taut, built on citrus, orchard fruit and a flinty core that carries the wines for a decade or more. This is white Burgundy at its most detailed, and it belongs at the top of any serious white wine cellar. The lone grand cru, a small holding of Le Montrachet, is the jewel. The reds come from Volnay, led by the Santenots-du-Milieu premier cru, favouring red cherry, spice and finesse over weight. A separate Mâconnais venture, Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon, brings the same thinking to more affordable Burgundy.
Domaine des Comtes Lafon FAQ
What makes Comtes Lafon Meursault special?
Old vines, biodynamic farming and gentle winemaking give whites of unusual clarity and length. Each premier cru tastes distinctly of its site, which is why collectors follow the domaine so closely.
Should I drink these wines young or cellar them?
The premier cru whites are lovely from around five years and reward a decade or more in strong vintages. The Volnay reds age well too, though they charm early.
Does the domaine make red wine?
Yes. Alongside the famous whites, Lafon makes Pinot Noir from Volnay, including the Santenots-du-Milieu premier cru, in a fine-boned, perfumed style.