Producer: Domaine des Comtes Lafon 
Region: Volnay, Cote de Beaune, Burgundy, France 
Varietal: Pinot Noir  
Year: 2010  

Wine Advocate, 93-95 Points 

"The 2010 Volnay Santenots is pure silk on the palate. It reveals striking suppleness and mid-palate pliancy in its expressive red berries, plums, flowers and licorice. This is an inviting, totally alluring wine graced with tons of sheer sexiness. A voluptuous, creamy finish takes things to their logical conclusion. There are no hard edges in this exceptionally elegant, polished Volnay." 

Burghound, 94 Points 

"*Outstanding* As was the case from cask, moderate reduction still renders the nose difficult to assess though it does not seem so severe as to suggest that it's permanent; in any event my score clearly offers the benefit of the doubt that it is not. There is plenty of energy and punch to the rich, concentrated and utterly delicious flavors that are at once generous but beautifully delineated before culminating in a balanced, explosive and gorgeously long finish. The amount of underlying material is truly impressive and the firm tannins are already well-integrated as the buffering sap almost makes them invisible. Again, assuming that the reduction isn't a longer-term issue, this should be one of the great vintages for this storied wine." 

John Gilman, 94 Points 

"The inherent elegance of the 2010 vintage has really left its fingerprints on this stunning Santenots du Milieu from Dominique Lafon. The simply gorgeous bouquet offers up a superb blend of black cherries, dark berries, espresso, stunningly pure, dark soil tones, a touch of fresh thyme, woodsmoke and a deft framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and very, very pure on the attack, with superb mid-palate depth, striking transparency, ripe, firm tannins and brilliant length and grip on the poised and beautifully sappy finish. Having been fortunate enough to drink the 1978 Lafon Santenots du Milieu several times, I have a hard time not imagining that the 2010 is the spitting image of that great wine in its youth!" 

Jasper Morris, 94 Points 

"Glowing youthful red, plenty of oak, great acid balance. The wine has stayed fresh and youthful but is also deliciously accessible – all 2010 characteristics. Dominique Lafon snapped into what he wanted to do with his red wines as long ago as 1989 and though there have been minor evolutions since, his Volnays have been remarkably consistent for thirty years now and they do not wear out quickly. Alongside the youthful vigorous red fruit and the subtlety of approach, there key factor in this wine is that the flavours remain in the mouth for a very long time indeed." 

Alcohol: 13.5% 

*Discounts do not apply to items like this one in the Fine & Rare category. Price and availability in store may vary.