Wines Meursault Comtes Lafon - Clos de la Baronne - 2017

Viniou Reviews

Comtes Lafon’s Meursault Premier Cru Clos de la Baronne 2017 is a white Burgundy that exemplifies the finesse and complexity of the Côte de Beaune. Crafted from 100% Chardonnay, this cuvée hails from a celebrated Premier Cru parcel renowned for its mosaic of limestone and marl. The 2017 vintage was marked by a warm, balanced growing season, producing wines with technical precision and expressive aromatics. In the cellar, Dominique Lafon’s meticulous approach includes hand-harvesting, gentle pressing, fermentation with indigenous yeasts, and élevage in high-quality French oak barrels, which integrate delicately and enhance the wine’s natural texture and depth.

Meursault itself is synonymous with some of Burgundy’s most captivating white wines, the commune benefitting from a terroir oriented to maximise sunlight and a unique subsoil composition that confers energy and minerality to the wines. The climate here is continental, favouring cool, misty mornings followed by sun-drenched afternoons, which engenders a style marked by both richness and vibrant acidity. Historically, estates like Comtes Lafon have set benchmarks for purity, age-worthiness, and the subtle power that define Côte de Beaune’s world-class whites.

A wine of this pedigree pairs beautifully with refined but flavourful cuisine. Classic matches include scallops seared in butter, delicate freshwater fish with beurre blanc, or free-range roast chicken dressed with a light cream sauce. Regional partnerships work particularly well; think of a creamy Meursault sauce accompanying poached eggs, or aged Comté cheese. For a vegetarian option, risotto with wild mushrooms or truffled gnocchi will harmonise with the wine’s layered complexity.

To fully appreciate the aromatic delicacy and textural nuance of this Meursault, serve at a cool but not chilled temperature of 11-13°C. Decanting for 30 minutes will allow its subtle floral and mineral notes to unfurl, and as the wine evolves in the glass, its tightly-woven palate and persistent finish will reveal the hallmark elegance of both the vintage and domaine.