# Monthélie-Les Duresses Premier Cru (2021)

- **Producer:** Domaine des Comtes Lafon
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.0%
- **Average price:** €95
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 15–15 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** red cherry, cranberry, pomegranate, spice, earth, forest floor

## About this wine

The 2021 Monthélie-Les Duresses Premier Cru by Domaine des Comtes Lafon is a testament to resilience in a difficult vintage. Despite a significant crop reduction, the wine embodies a classic, elegant Burgundy style, prized for its transparency and finesse. Domaine des Comtes Lafon, a legendary producer known for its Meursault whites, applies its purist winemaking philosophy to its red wines, aiming to express the unique character of each terroir. The estate, with a history dating back to the late 19th century and managed by Dominique Lafon since 1983, is committed to biodynamic and organic viticulture. This particular wine hails from the Les Duresses Premier Cru vineyard in Monthélie, Côte de Beaune, a region known for producing wines of distinction. The 2021 vintage is characterized by its classical profile, a result of challenging weather conditions that led to lower yields but preserved aromatic purity and terroir expression.

## Interesting facts

- The 2021 harvest for this cuvée saw a two-thirds loss of the crop due to adverse weather.
- Domaine des Comtes Lafon has been certified organic since 1998.
- No new oak was used for aging this 2021 vintage; only one-year-old barrels were employed.
- The Les Duresses vineyard parcel is on a steep, southeast-facing slope.

## Food pairing

The wine's firm tannins and balanced acidity cut through the richness of proteins like lamb and duck, while its red fruit notes complement earthy flavors. Lighter preparations of veal and pork are enhanced by the wine's elegance, and mushroom dishes echo its subtle earthy undertones.

## Wine making process

Domaine des Comtes Lafon practices biodynamic and certified organic viticulture, with a focus on minimal intervention. For the 2021 Monthélie-Les Duresses, grapes were harvested last from the Les Duresses vineyard to achieve optimal ripeness, despite challenging vintage conditions that led to a significantly reduced yield. The winemaking process likely involves gentle handling of the grapes and traditional fermentation methods. Aging took place entirely in one-year-old oak barrels, a deliberate choice to support the wine's delicate profile and highlight its terroir expression rather than oak influence.