Comtes Lafon Monthélie 1er Cru Les Duresses 2021 Bottle size: 750ml

‘A very fresh pinot-like nose trimmed in newly turned earth leads to racy, delicious and nicely detailed flavors that conclude in a bitter pit fruit-inflected finish where a touch of austerity slowly emerges. This inviting effort should reward a few years of keeping though it could easily be enjoyed young. 2026+’ – Allen Meadows, Burghound.com, 88-91/100

‘Lafon left his vines in Les Duresses until last in 2021 to get the ripest possible grapes. In the end, he lost two-thirds to the combination of frost and rain. The colour of the wine was fairly light, and the initial attack showed aromas of cranberry and pomegranate, with riper cherry notes and a hint of spice opening up on the palate. The texture is supple and relatively light, showing balanced acidity and moderate length. The grapes are from a parcel of just over a hectare in this southeast-facing site. 2025-2035’ – Charles Curtis MW, Decanter, 90/100

‘Offering up aromas of pretty berry fruit, the 2021 Monthélie Les Duresses is medium-bodied, light and supple, with a delicate, melting profile. Yields in this parcel were normal.’ – William Kelley, Wine Advocate, 86-88/100

‘The 2021 Monthélie Les Duresses, the only cuvée with a normal yield, sports a touch of reduction on the nose, red cherries and cranberry fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins; this is quite a "stocky" Monthélie with dark berry fruit on the finish. Fine. 2024-2032’ – Neal Martin, Vinous, 86-88/100