Viniou Reviews
The 2004 Meursault Premier Cru ‘Perrières’ from Domaine des Comtes Lafon is a truly outstanding white Burgundy, illustrating the noble expression of Chardonnay at its finest. This Premier Cru vineyard is one of the most lauded in Meursault, famed for wines that marry richness with crystalline purity. The 2004 vintage boasts a lovely balance, benefitting from a cooler growing season that preserved fresh acidity and helped develop complex aromatics. Lafon’s approach in the cellar is meticulous: careful harvesting by hand, gentle pressing, and fermentation in oak barrels with just the right proportion of new oak. The wine is left to mature on the lees, which contributes an alluring texture and layers of flavour.
Meursault sits within the Côte de Beaune, the southern part of the celebrated Burgundy region. This area is renowned for its limestone-rich soils interspersed with clay, providing the ideal conditions for Chardonnay to thrive. The Perrières vineyard, in particular, is perched on stony, well-drained slopes, imparting a mineral backbone to the wine. The region enjoys a cool continental climate, with enough warmth during the growing season to ensure ripe, expressive fruit, yet cool enough to maintain freshness and elegance. Burgundy's viticultural history dates back centuries, with Meursault wines particularly prized for their longevity and sophistication.
As for pairings, this Meursault ‘Perrières’ Premier Cru is a superb match for refined seafood and white meats. Try it with classic dishes like lobster with beurre blanc, turbot or Dover sole in a delicate cream sauce, or scallops gratin. It also complements poultry in a morel or truffle sauce, and aged hard cheeses such as Comté. For a regional touch, pair it with escargots de Bourgogne or a farm-reared Bresse chicken.
To appreciate its nuances, serve this wine lightly chilled, at around 11-13°C. Open the bottle slightly in advance or consider decanting for thirty minutes to allow its intricate aromas—hazelnut, white flowers, citrus and subtle minerality—to unfold. This wine is drinking beautifully now, yet continues to reward cellaring for several more years if desired.
