Domaine Hubert Lamy - Saint Aubin 1er Cru - Les Frionnes 2023
Domaine Hubert Lamy stands out as one of the finest signatures of the Côte de Beaune, located in Saint Aubin on high-altitude limestone slopes where Chardonnay finds a privileged expression ground. Heir to an ancient winemaking lineage, Olivier Lamy has elevated the domaine to a world-class reference thanks to an extremely precise approach to terroirs, based on high planting density, yield control, and viticultural practices respectful of the soils. The Saint Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes vines are situated on a steep slope, about 300 meters above sea level, just behind the winery, on stony and clay-limestone soils that produce taut and deep wines. The 14,000 vines per hectare encourage natural competition between the vines, yielding concentrated, small, and flavorful grapes. Natural fermentations, long pressings, and meticulously timed aging in barrels then tanks aim to preserve the terroir's energy without ever masking it. In this context, Saint Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes 2023 perfectly embodies the domaine's style: vibrant, precise, and intensely mineral.
Saint Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes 2023 is made from Chardonnay grown on very stony clay-limestone soils, oriented east-southeast, which ensure homogeneous ripening while maintaining beautiful freshness. The 2023 vintage, fresh and bright, allowed for hand-harvesting perfectly healthy grapes, endowed with a natural balance between ripeness and acidity, ideal for a great white wine with aging potential. After gentle and prolonged pressing, fermentation takes place slowly over nearly three months in demi-muids and barrels of various volumes, exclusively with indigenous yeasts. The aging then continues for nearly two years, first in wood then in tank, to refine the structure, meld the aromas, and preserve a straight, vertical, and salivating framework. New wood is very restrained, conceived as a simple texture support and not as an aromatic signature. This 1er Cru Les Frionnes 2023 thus presents itself as a white wine already charming in its youth but endowed with a five to ten-year aging potential, during which its complexity and mineral dimension will continue to unfold.
On the palate, Saint Aubin 1er Cru Les Frionnes 2023 reveals a bright pale gold color with green reflections that announce freshness and precision. The nose opens with elegant aromas of white flowers, linden, and acacia, joined by notes of white and yellow fruits, crunchy pear, peach and stone, complemented by a touch of ripe citrus and gunflint. On the palate, the attack is lively and crystalline, supported by fine acidity that stretches the body without hardening it, then the mid-palate gains breadth with a creamy texture, traversed by a clear and salivating mineral thread. Flavors of citrus, white fruits, fresh almond, and light roasted hazelnut mingle with an appetizing salinity and beautiful noble bitterness that structure the finish. The latter lingers long on a chalky and slightly spicy register, a sign of a great high-altitude terroir. At the table, this 1er Cru Les Frionnes 2023 will be an ideal companion for noble grilled or roasted fish, turbot or John Dory with beurre blanc, seared scallops, farm poultry with light cream, or characterful cheeses such as aged Comté, Beaufort, or dry Burgundian goat cheeses.
Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay
