The 2017 Dominique Lafon Beaune Vignes Franches is a red Pinot Noir from the Burgundy region of France, specifically from the Cote de Beaune sub-region within the Beaune appellation. This wine is produced by Dominique Lafon, a well-regarded name in Burgundy winemaking. The wine is bottled with a cork closure and has an alcohol content of 13.0%.
This vintage has garnered high praise from professional reviewers, highlighting its complexity and balance. Wine Spectator awarded this wine an impressive score of 93 points, noting its "pure, evoking black cherry, black currant and floral aromas and flavors." The review describes the wine as "rich and dense, yet set on a lithe frame," with a fine grip that accentuates the lingering aftertaste of fruit, mineral, and spice. The reviewer also mentions that the wine exhibits "lovely harmony" and suggests that it will be at its best from 2022 through 2033.
Similarly, Jasper Morris of Inside Burgundy rated the wine between 90-92 points. He describes it as having a "medium purple" color and notes that there were 15 barrels produced in this year. Morris highlights the wine's "lovely weight of fruit" and mentions that it differs in style from Lafon's Volnays, offering slightly darker fruit tones. He praises its "generous" palate, with "dark raspberry notes" and "good length." Additionally, the review points out the seamless nature of its tannins.
In summary, the 2017 Dominique Lafon Beaune Vignes Franches is a well-crafted Pinot Noir that showcases the hallmark characteristics of its region and vintage. Its high scores and positive notes from critics like Wine Spectator and Jasper Morris suggest that this wine is both a current delight and a promising candidate for further aging.