Size: 3.9 ha (9.64 ac)
Variety: Pinot Noir
Vine Age: Planted in 1944, 1962, 1965, 1978
Terroir: East-facing, shallow red clay soil, hard limestone substrate: a sunny, early-ripening site
Viticulture: Organic (certified), biodynamic
Vinification: 100% de-stemmed, cooled (12-15°C), 4-6 days' whole-grape maceration, 10 days' indigenous yeast fermentation in stainless steel tanks, 1-2 punch-downs per day. 1-2 weeks' settling in tank, gravity transfer to oak barrel (1/3 new). Racking, 18-22 months' aging on fine lees in same barrels, blending in tank.
Becky Wasserman.com
"A monumental wine, with super-ripe black cherry and currant fruit accented with rose petals, liquorice, smoke and minerals. Dense and full-bodied in texture, yet vibrantly fresh and superbly long- a marvel. Anyone who thinks Lafon is only about white wine is missing this epic experience. Volnay Santenots is arguably among the top red wines of the Côte de Beaune, and Santenots-du-Milieu is the best portion of it (Lafon owns nearly half of this appellation). He destems the fruit, does a cold soak and punches down regularly before ageing in cask (one-third new)." Decanter 97p
"The 2020 Volnay 1er Cru Les Santenots-du-Milieu is excellent, wafting from the glass with a deep bouquet of wild berries, plums and cassis mingled with hints of spices, grilled meats and rose petals. Medium to full-bodied, layered and concentrated, it's deep and tightly wound, with powdery structuring tannins and lively acids. This is a serious Santenots that will require some bottle age, and it's among the best that I can remember tasting chez Lafon over the last decade." Wine Advocate 93-95p
"The 2020 Santenots du Milieu chez Lafon is excellent. The wine delivers a refined aromatic constellation of cassis, dark berries, French roast, spit-roasted gamebird, a touch of dark chocolate, a beautiful base of soil, bonfire, violets and vanillin oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and beautifully balanced, with a plush core of fruit, excellent mineral drive, ripe, fine-grained tannins, tangy acids and excellent focus on the long, complex and vibrant finish. Great juice. (Drink between 2033-2080)" John Gilman 94p
