Wines Unspecified Comtes Lafon - Clos de la Baronne - 2017

Viniou Reviews

The 2017 Clos de la Baronne from Domaine Comtes Lafon is a striking testament to the finesse and depth that Burgundy whites can achieve. Crafted predominantly from Chardonnay, this Premier Cru wine reflects meticulous vineyard management and the house’s hallmark of minimal intervention. The 2017 vintage was marked by a relatively early harvest, contributing to wines with lively acidity and pure fruit expression. Gentle handling during vinification, along with barrel ageing, allows for both richness and a layered complexity that unfolds beautifully in the glass. You can expect aromas of ripe orchard fruits, white flowers, and subtle hints of hazelnut and brioche, with a vibrant mineral underpinning and a lingering, elegant finish.

Burgundy, and especially the area surrounding Meursault where Comtes Lafon is based, benefits from a cool continental climate. This, paired with the region’s renowned limestone and clay soils, is ideal for producing structured, expressive Chardonnays. Burgundy’s white wines are world-famous for their purity, balance, and ability to express nuances of terroir—qualities that are evident in this Clos de la Baronne. The region boasts a long history of monastic vineyard cultivation, which continues to shape the strict parcel selection and dedication to quality seen in estates like Comtes Lafon.

For food pairings, this wine will blossom alongside delicate seafood such as scallops with beurre blanc or grilled turbot. Creamy poultry dishes—think poulet de Bresse with morel sauce—pick up the wine’s buttery texture and savoury depth. Local cheeses like Comté or aged goat cheese also harmonise well, each drawing out different facets of the wine’s character.

For optimal appreciation, serve this wine chilled but not overly cold, ideally between 12 and 14°C. If possible, decant it for 30 minutes before serving to allow those subtle tertiary notes to emerge, and use a wine glass with a slightly wider bowl to fully capture the aromatic profile. This promising 2017 vintage can be enjoyed now or cellared for several more years to further develop its complexity.