This is an exceptionally fresh, vibrant wine from Comtes Lafon, showing no sign of the premature oxidation problems which have plagued this venerable estate. Notes of Anjou pear, lime, apple blossom and a touch of honey lead into a glossy, full-bodied palate with nice texture, tension and intensity. Like Fichet's Tesson, this is an excellent village wine which will develop further in the cellar, as it is still pretty primary.

(fined three weeks ago) Bright, pale yellow. Musky peach and citrus aromas offer good purity. Supple, silky and sweet, with citrus and mineral elements framing and lifting the ripe fruit flavors of apple and pear. A classic example of the way Lafon says the 2008s combine fleshy middles with mineral-edged finishes.

The 2008 Meursault Clos de la Barre from Domaine des Comtes Lafon has an attractive bouquet with touches of brown spice, mandarin and dried honey scents that are well defined, albeit seem fully mature. The palate is well balanced with orange peel and citrus notes, although I feel that it does not quite deliver the complexity of other Village Cru 2008s from the likes of Patrick Javillier or Fichet. Fine, but I would drink in the near future. Tasted at Sarah Marsh's 2008 White Burgundy tasting.

Lafon's 2008 Meursault Clos de la Barre is fully mature and drinking quite well today, offering up aromas of buttered orchard fruit, citrus oil, toasty oak and hints of exotic fruits that emerge with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, it's delicately textural, with a pretty core of fruit, tangy acids that are a touch assertive and a penetrating, sulfate-inflected finish.

Relatively deep gold. On the nose, an impression of age rather than evolution. And, funnily enough, even a suggestion of matchstick!! Lively with masses of crunchy texture and acidity. One of the grainiest wines with considerable acidity and freshness even if not great subtlety. (JR)