DOMAINE MICHEL LAFARGE BOURGOGNE PASSETOUTGRAIN L'EXCEPTION 2022

Domaine Michel Lafarge, led by Frédéric Lafarge and now joined by daughter Clothilde, represents Burgundian winemaking at its finest. This pioneering biodynamic estate (Demeter certified since 2000) embraces traditional methods like hand destemming and muscle-powered pressing to preserve clarity and minerality in their wines. Their modest holdings enable precise harvest timing—crucial during Burgundy's increasingly unpredictable climate shifts. Their meticulous approach to the clay-limestone soils produces wines of remarkable authenticity and longevity.

The Bourgogne Passetoutgrain l'Exception carries historical significance as one of the first estate-bottled Lafarge wines in the 1930s—hence its "Exception" designation. This unique blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Gamay comes from remarkable 95-year-old vines planted in 1926. After complete destemming, light crushing, and indigenous fermentation, the wine spends 15-18 months aging in barrel before bottling without filtration. The result delivers surprising density balanced with astonishing freshness—offering peppery red berry aromas, vibrant middleweight flavors, and exceptional complexity rarely found at this appellation level. The persistent, balanced finish demonstrates why this humble wine deserves special attention in the Lafarge portfolio.