Comte Lafon Clos des Chenes 2010 – Vineut

Reseña profesional

Clos des Chenesis one of Volnay’s most notable premier cru vineyards, located on the midslope of the Côte d’Or escarpment. The terroir here is perfectly suited to the production of Pinot Noir, to which it is exclusively planted. Clos des Chenes Premier Cru wines are some of Volnay’s best, exhibiting bright fruit characters along with fine tannins, good acidity, and plenty of elegance.

Situated just to the south of Volnay village itself, next to the commune boundary with Monthélie, Clos des Chenes is named after the oak trees (chenes) that line its western edge. The Taille Pieds Premier Cru vineyard is just to the north, while Caillerets and Champans occupy the slopes below.

Clos des Chenes’ position on the part of the hill that swoops around toward Monthelie gives a slightly different terroir than most of the rest of Volnay as the climat has a more southerly aspect. This is important for ripening, as the vines are exposed to warm sunshine for a large part of the day, and can develop rich varietal character. This aspect also gives the vines exposure to cool, fresh breezes and cooler night time temperatures to slow ripening, leading to a retention of acidity in the grapes, and ultimately to high-quality, balanced wines.

The soils on this part of the slope are also incredibly important to the quality of the wines. Limestone marl and clay underpins the rocky site so that vines sit on a well-drained topsoil that encourages root growth to access minerals in the clay below. A lack of water helps to limit leafy vegetation growth, conserving energy for grape production and ensuring a small yield of concentrated berries.