2023 Mâcon-Milly-Lamartine, Clos du Four, Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon, Burgundy

Chardonnay is arguably the most versatile white grape variety in the world. Grown globally and beloved for its adaptability, it can produce wines that range from crisp and mineral to rich and opulent. It thrives in a wide range of soils but performs best in limestone-rich terroirs, such as those found in Chablis, Champagne, and the Côte d'Or.

Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon was established in 1999 when the famed Lafon family of Meursault purchased a small domaine in Milly-Lamartine. Their enthusiasm for the project has grown ever since, as has the domaine: today it covers 26 hectares in the most prestigious appellations of the Mâconnais, all farmed biodynamically. The estate is overseen by the energetic Caroline Gon, in close consultation with Dominique Lafon. The 2020 vintage sees the increased involvement of Dominique’s daughter Léa and nephew Pierre, both taking a keen interest in the Mâconnais project. Caroline continues to run the estate on a day-to-day basis, putting Dominique’s vision into practice. In the winery Vinification and ageing continue to move towards larger oak formats, with increased use of foudres and demi-muids. The team recognise the profile of Mâcon wines as being more generous and fruitier than those of the Côte d’Or. So their aim is to retain as much freshness as possible, and not to impart too much oak character.