2017 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Meursault "Clos de la Barre"

“Dominique Lafon's home vineyard is a 2.4ha parcel that sits just below the winery on clay and limestone soils and regularly produces one of the best village Meursaults. Made without new wood, it has notes of aromatic baking spices, fennel and lemon tart with plenty of texture and weight. (TA)” (10/2018)

“This wine was still in barrel in October, having been racked once. 50 barrels were made of the ‘home block’. It has a very classic nose, a mix of ripe pure fruit and a little mineral content, multi layered, very complex with a lingering finish. A future classic?” (10/2018)

“(Lafon made 50 barrels, which he described as a full crop): Pretty aromas of apricot, peach and flowers are complicated by a seductive leesy quality. Wonderfully silky on the palate, offering a superb balance of fruit and acidity. Relatively sweet in the context of these '17s, but Lafon insisted that the wine has barely one gram per liter of residual sugar, while most of his other '17s are closer to half a gram--i.e., bone dry. Finishes with excellent length. (ST)” (09/2018)

“The 2017 Clos de la Barre has turned out beautifully and is destined to be one of the great recent vintages of this lovely cuvée. The aromatic constellation offers up scents of apple, pear, a nice touch of coconut, chalky minerality, hazelnuts and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, focused and nicely defined by its underlying minerality, with a lovely core, plenty of bounce and grip and a long, perfectly balanced and complex backend. This was still in barrel. Fine, fine juice. (Drink between 2021-2050) (JG) 92+” (11/2018)

“The 2017 Meursault Clos de la Barre has turned out very well, opening in the glass with a youthfully reserved bouquet of citrus oil, clear honey, green orchard fruit and almond paste that's actually less forthcoming than the Perrières at this very early stage. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, supple and satiny, with tangy acids, good concentration and a lively, saline finish. While this will be approachable young, expect real complexity to emerge with a decade's bottle age. (WK)” (01/2020)

“The slightly smoky, cool and pure nose is comprised by the essence of freshly sliced apple and lemon rind along with subtle hints of hazelnut and spice. The focused and sleek lighter weight but impressively punchy flavors possess fine deineation while displaying solid depth and length on the balanced finale. This is excellent and particularly so for a villages level wine. As to longevity, while it could be enjoyed now, I would be inclined to hold it for at least a few more years first because while there is some secondary character in evidence, this is still on the way up. I would also note that in 2017, the wine is finer than it usually is if not quite as rich and generous. Tasted four times with consistent notes.” (07/2025)