Milly-Lamartine

Two-thirds raised in foudre with the remainder in large barrels, this is a standout cuvée in warmer vintages such as 2017. There is gorgeous stone-fruit on the nose and palate, along with sizzling energy and tension. The finish has a pleasant citrus bitterness and a touch of toast. Drink 2019-2022.

The hot and dry conditions of summer 2017 have yielded mixed blessings; the wines are deliciously ripe but the volumes have suffered a little due to drought stress. Picking began early (at the end of August), with the resulting wines being described by Caroline as of really high quality, with good balance and maturity. Dominique and Caroline take great care to pick each parcel (and indeed sub-parcel) at precisely the right time to ensure optimum ripeness.

A fantastic parcel of old vines on the mid-slope in Milly- Lamartine, this is one of the plots that persuaded Dominique to begin his Mâconnais project. The nose displays a touch of noble reduction. The aromas and flavours are altogether more grown-up, with smoke, a chewy texture and promising youthful bitterness on the finish. Great potential. Drink 2019-2024.
Adam Bruntlett, Burgundy Buyer

In September 1999 the Lafon family bought a domaine at Milly-Lamartine, renaming it Les Héritiers du Comte Lafon. In May 2003 a further six hectares in the villages of Uchizy and Chardonnay were added, followed by Viré-Clessé in 2009 and Prissé, PouillyFuissé and St Véran in 2014. The whole operation, based at Milly, is now looked after by Caroline Gon under the supervision of Dominique Lafon and totals 26 hectares. The vineyards are now biodynamic, and the wines are vinified partly in stainless steel, partly in large wooden foudres and partly in demimuids, depending on the cuvée. It hailed a little in St Véran. Harvest began on 15th September, finishing with the Mâcon-Bussières on 1st October, allowing Dominique and his cellar master, Caroline Gon, to pick each of their parcels at the perfect level of ripeness. Caroline explained that the acidity levels of the 2016s are not dissimilar to those of 2015, but that the lower alcohol means the wines feel fresher and more energetic.

Two-thirds of this is raised in demi-muids, one-third in a small foudre. This really shines in 2017, seemingly unaffected by the vintage and – as always – giving a tangy, nervy and mineral expression of the Mâconnais. With remarkable freshness and precision, it’s very long too. Drink 2020-2025.

The hot and dry conditions of summer 2017 have yielded mixed blessings; the wines are deliciously ripe but the volumes have suffered a little due to drought stress. Picking began early (at the end of August), with the resulting wines being described by Caroline as of really high quality, with good balance and maturity. Dominique and Caroline take great care to pick each parcel (and indeed sub-parcel) at precisely the right time to ensure optimum ripeness.

Burgundy 2012 En Primeur - Best Value
Going from strength to strength every year, Macon-Milly-Lamartine has a huge depth of concentration. Saline and white peach, very fresh and pure. Forget about this for a couple of years and enjoy over the following 5. A brilliant ambassador for the Maconnais.
Fergus Stewart, Fine Wine

Macon-Milly-Lamartine, Clos du Four has a lovely harmony, redolent of sunshine and spring breezes, with beautiful ripe apple fruit and floral notes. We think this must be the best bottling of this wine to date.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director

Both 2012 and 2013 have proved to be half-sized crops for Dominique Lafon’s Mâconnais domaine, nonetheless, 2012 was a very fine vintage here, and all wines were bottled just before the harvest, using DIAM corks. Caroline Gon, winemaker here in the Mâconnais, was ably assisted this year by Lou Coutts, formerly of No. 3 St James’s Street!