2013 Volnay Village

Lafarge is another Côte de Beaune domain that has lost the equivalent of a full vintage over the last three years, as production here was 20% of normal in 2012, 35% in 2013, and 50% in 2014. According to Frédéric Lafarge, 2013 brought "very complete skin ripeness and low alcohol, and outstanding purity of terroir." But the harvest took place in October and therefore gave "a different balance," he added. There was no rot at harvest-time, but that was due to the work the Lafarges had done in the vines to eliminate damaged grapes. Grape sugars were in the 11.7% to 12% range and the finished wines won't be higher than 12.5%. Lafarge told me that the estate's 2012s have great aging potential, and that 2013 is "a harmonious year to drink before 2012."