Note: from a 1.06 ha holding. This is very aromatically pretty, even perfumed, with its array of ripe red and dark fruit aromas that are cut with spice wisps. There is both excellent energy and detail to the lightly stony middle weight flavors that conclude in a balanced and youthfully austere finale. Lovely and understated.

Mid crimson purple. An engaging graceful fully ripe red fruit, quite full with an additional firmness behind. Not so much through the middle, but an attractive dark cherry all the same. Drink from 2028-2033. Tasted Oct 2024.

Aromas of plums, berries and smoke introduce the 2023 Monthélie Les Duresses, a medium-bodied, supple and racy wine that's fine-boned and open-knit this year. The 2023 vintage is another success from Domaine des Comtes Lafon, now headed by Léa and Pierre Lafon, delivering both quantity and quality like 2022 before it, though in a somewhat fleshier, more extroverted style. While a few new cuvées have joined the range, for now, no big changes are afoot, and Dominque Lafon continues to be a guiding presence. Organic and biodynamic farming in the vineyards, barrel fermentation for whites, two winters' élevage on the lees for both colors and bottling under Diam technical corks (since 2013) continue to be the order of the day.(WK)