Viniou Reviews
From one of Burgundy’s most revered producers, Domaine des Comtes Lafon, your 2018 Cuvée Barre Premier Cru is an exceptional white wine, expressing the singularity of its terroir and the meticulous artistry of the domaine. Primarily composed of Chardonnay, as is customary in the top white wines of Burgundy, this bottle from the 2018 vintage benefits from an excellent growing season marked by warmth and ideal weather, resulting in healthy, concentrated grapes. The vinification at Comtes Lafon is characterised by a careful balance between tradition and innovation: fermentation is typically carried out with indigenous yeasts, and the wine is aged in French oak barrels to enhance complexity while preserving the grape’s natural purity and the minerality of the terroir.
Burgundy is celebrated worldwide for its nuanced and terroir-driven wines, particularly in its white expressions centred on Chardonnay. The region's cool continental climate, marked by cold winters and hot summers, contributes to Chardonnay’s finesse and vibrant acidity. The soils, a complex mix of limestone and clay—especially rich in the Côte de Beaune where many of Lafon’s finest plots are found—imbue the wines with a distinctive mineral backbone and longevity. The long-standing tradition of viticulture, coupled with small-scale, artisanal approaches, has resulted in wines that are both expressive and highly age-worthy.
A wine of this calibre deserves thoughtful food pairings. Its tension, finesse and creamy texture make it ideal with classic Burgundian dishes such as poultry in a light mushroom and cream sauce, or a delicate poached turbot with beurre blanc. It would also shine alongside shellfish like scallops or lobster, or a simple roasted chicken finished with fresh tarragon and lemon. For a regional touch, try it with a warm gougère or an aged Comté cheese, whose nuttiness will beautifully echo the wine’s subtle oak.
For serving, decanting for half an hour can help the wine open up. Serve chilled but not too cold, ideally at 11-13°C, to allow its aromatic complexity and textured palate to fully emerge. This bottle promises enjoyment now, as well as cellaring potential for several years to come, rewarding your patience with ever greater nuance and depth.
