Domaine des Comtes Lafon Volnay Premier Cru Champans

Wine Information
Size: 0.52 ha (1.28 ac)
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vine Age: 67% planted in 1922, 33% in 1989
Terroir: En Champans, facing east, gentle (2%-5%) slope, deeper crumbly limestone soil with little rocks
Viticulture: Organic (certified), biodynamic methods
Vinification: 100% de-stemmed, cold (12-15°C) settling, indigenous yeast fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, punch-downs 1-2 times per day. Aged for 18-22 months in barrel (33% new).
The well-draining soil in this vineyard is home to the domaine's oldest vines. Their rootstock is a majority massal selection, with a mix of massal selection and clones for the newer plantings from 1989. This terroir is very precocious and regularly produces very mature grapes, creating dense but less tannic wines than those of Santenots.

When the grapes arrive to the cellar, the goal of the winemaker is keep some of the benefits of whole cluster fermentation but avoid the herbacious flavors that come from the stems. The clusters are thus de-stemmed with the most delicate machine possible in order to keep a maximum of whole grapes. After pressing, the young wine settles for 1 to 2 weeks in tank, separating the sediment of solids from the liquids to avoid unwanted lees during aging. The barrels are then filled by gravity and undergo a late malolactic fermentation. The wine is racked twice during aging.