Winemaker Notes
An enclosed monopole of the domaine, this is located just behind the family’s main living quarters. This terroir produces rich, mineral wines, with pronounced citrus aromas and marked acidity.
Professional Ratings
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Decanter
The oldest vines in this 2.12ha Lafon monopole were planted in 1950. Although it was picked fairly late, the biodynamically-farmed vines managed to retain a vibrant acidity, with the aromas beginning with citrus peel and ripe pear, before revealing the spice and butter notes imparted by the cask ageing. On the palate, there is a marvellously juicy texture and a lingering finish that make this a wine to age. Drinking Window: 2021 - 2034.
Barrel Sample: 94 -
Jasper Morris
There is a little lime touch to the colour. The fruit on the nose starts discreetly, but with its usual crisp precision, then swells enormously on the palate, fresh peaches, then better tension behind. This will make a classic, precise and steely Clos de la Barre.
Barrel Sample: 90-93 -
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Aromas of pear, orange peel, honeycomb, toasted almonds and white flowers introduce Lafon's 2019 Meursault Clos de la Barre, a medium to full-bodied, satiny and enveloping wine with fine concentration, chalky structuring extract and lively acids. While its depth of fruit may lend it deceptive youthful charm, it's built to age.
Barrel Sample: 91-93
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
Known to offer a magical balance of smoothness and freshness, Meursault's quality is hard to rival. The village lies in the middle of Côte de Beaune, just south of Volnay. Meursault is said to mean “mouse’s jump” because in the past the plots producing Pinot Noir and those producing Chardonnay were no more than a mouse’s jump from one another. Today the village is almost exclusively Chardonnay. A tiny bit of Pinot Noir is produced here with the best coming from Les Santenots on its northern side near Volnay.
While there are no Grands Crus, Meursault’s numerous acclaimed Premiers Crus can compete with any other top-notch white Burgundy. Some to know are Les Perrières, Les Genevrières, Les Charmes, Le Poruzot, Les Bouchères and Les Gouttes d’Or.
Meursault produces outstanding village level wines as well. In general great Premiers Crus and even village level Meursault (Chardonnay) have enticing aromas of lime peel, tropical fruit, crushed rocks, spice and hazelnut. On the palate there is a wonderful balance of brightness and a seductive length with flavors of white peach, pineapple and citrus.