2020 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Le Montrachet Grand Cru

The domain Domaine des Comtes Lafon

Domaine des Comtes Lafon, located in Meursault, ranks among Burgundy's elite. For decades, the estate has been renowned for wines that perfectly express the purity of the terroir and the power of their origins. Under the leadership of Dominique Lafon , the estate became a model of organic and biodynamic viticulture, long before these terms became commonplace in the region. Dominique officially retired at the end of 2021 after an impressive 37-year career. His daughter Léa and nephew Pierre Lafon continue the work with the same meticulousness and respect for the vineyard.

Comtes Lafon owns some of the most prestigious plots in Meursault, Volnay, and Montrachet. The house's style is recognizable by a subtle interplay of richness and energy. While once a generous use of new oak was characteristic, the new generation opts for a more restrained use of wood and greater transparency of terroir.

The vineyard Le Montrachet Grand Cru

Le Montrachet, located between Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, is the most prestigious white terroir in Burgundy—and perhaps even the world. The thin, chalky topsoil on a subsoil of marl and limestone creates a perfect balance of ripeness, structure, and minerality. Only a few producers own a small parcel here, and Domaine des Comtes Lafon is among that select group.

The southeastern-facing location guarantees optimal sun exposure, while the altitude and the Morvan winds provide freshness. This is where wines are created that combine power with unparalleled precision: Montrachet at its purest.

2020: tension and energy

The 2020 harvest yielded small, concentrated berries with exceptional acidity. The dry and warm summer ripened the grapes, but the cool nights preserved freshness and vibrancy. According to Dominique Lafon himself, 2020 has a more muscular structure than 2019, with energetic acidity that lends the wine tension and length. While 2019 was round and charming, 2020 demonstrates focus, precision, and depth.

Vinification and aging

For the first time, only a third of the oak barrels were replaced in this vintage, instead of the usual 100%. This decision ensures greater transparency and allows the mineral character of the vineyard to shine through. The wine was aged in the Meursault cellars on fine lees, with minimal intervention, and bottled under a Diam 30 closure to ensure pure, controlled maturation.

Tasting notes 2020 Le Montrachet Grand Cru

The 2020 Domaine des Comtes Lafon Le Montrachet Grand Cru opens with an expressive bouquet of buttery white fruit, honeycomb, orange oil, peach, and nutmeg. The wine is rich and satiny, with a powerful, layered core of ripe fruit, subtle spice, and vibrant acidity that creates tension and precision. It concludes with a long, resonant finish that embodies the pure class of Montrachet.

The texture is impressive: broad but never heavy, with a remarkable combination of depth and clarity. Notes of ripe stone fruit, almond, and a hint of ginger are carried by a vibrant minerality. The balance between creaminess and freshness makes this 2020 a wine of exceptional balance.

Reviews and style

Both The Wine Advocate and Vinous rated this wine exceptionally highly, scoring 96-98 points . William Kelley (The Wine Advocate) calls the 2020 "expressive, dramatic, and full of energy," and particularly praises the balance between power and elegance. Neal Martin (Vinous) praises the "mineral-driven" style and the fact that the lower percentage of new oak allows the terroir to express itself even more. He describes the wine as "brilliantly balanced, taut and fresh, with veins of stem ginger and silex toward the persistent finish."

Both reviewers place the 2020 alongside other great recent vintages from the estate – 2017, 2018 and 2019 – and expect this Montrachet to have impressive longevity, with a drinking window stretching from 2027 to 2060 .

Drinking time and development

The wine is still young and will continue to develop in the coming years. While already impressive, it deserves time in the cellar to reveal its full potential. From 2027 onwards, it will achieve its optimal balance of power, maturity, and finesse. As a natural product, it will remain fascinating to see how this Montrachet will develop in the coming decades.

Wine and food pairings

• Lobster with beurre blanc and lime leaf – the creaminess of the sauce enhances the texture of the wine, while the citrus notes provide freshness.
• Turbot with truffle and Jerusalem artichoke puree – the earthy notes perfectly complement the ripe, nutty character of the Montrachet.
• Veal sweetbreads with hazelnut and morels – the rich flavours and creamy texture find a perfect balance in this powerful yet elegant wine.
• Roasted scallops with cauliflower cream – the subtle sweetness of the scallops harmonizes with the honeyed notes of the wine.
• Risotto with Parmesan and Lemon – the creamy texture and fresh acidity enhance each other in an elegant combination.
• Grilled chicken with tarragon and beurre noisette – the spicy and buttery notes complement the layered character of the wine.

Would you like to order wines from Domaine des Comtes Lafon online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order this wine. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pickup" at the checkout page. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address. You can read the full wine reviews from publications like Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator. Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.