Domaine Hubert Lamy, Bourgogne `Les Chataigners`
Vintage: 2023
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | HL102B23 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Founded in 1973 with just eight hectares of vines, Domaine Hubert Lamy now comprises 18.5 hectares planted predominately with Chardonnay (80%) in Saint-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay. The domaine is celebrated for its precise, intense and highly sought-after wines.
In 1995, Hubert’s son Olivier took over the domaine and implemented several changes. The most significant of these was the introduction of high-density plantings across the vineyards (often three times that of their neighbours), which Olivier believes results in the best possible expression of each site. He also practises ‘la lutte raisonnée’ in the domaine’s vineyards, adhering to organic practices and spraying only when necessary.
Domaine Hubert Lamy’s cellar has three levels, meaning they can adopt gravity-flow winemaking and minimise the need for pumping which can stress the wines. The white wines are fermented in French oak barrels (300 and 600 litres) and left on their fine lees, without bâtonnage or sulphur dioxide, until they are racked. Olivier has also reduced the use of new oak on the domaine’s white wines over the years, and now only uses barrels ranging in age from one to five years old.
The Bourgogne ‘Les Chataigners’ is sourced from a steep, cool, limestone vineyard Meursault and Saint Aubin which is always harvested last. It has impressive concentration for a Bourgogne-level wine, with bracing acidity and fragrant lemony fruit. The Saint-Aubin ‘La Princée’, made from 10 different parcels across the appellation, has notes of lime and tangerine complemented by a linear acidity and a delightful savouriness on the finish. The Saint-Aubin 1er Cru ‘Clos du Meix’ comes from a 0.7-hectare walled parcel, resulting in a wine that is rich and rounded, partly due to the warmer microclimate in this ‘Clos’. The Chassagne-Montrachets balance the signature fleshy opulence of this famed village with Olivier’s lifted and precise style. 1er Cru ‘Les Macherelles’ is a stone’s throw from Grand Cru ‘Le Montrachet’ and has similarly impressive intensity of flavour.
Domaine Hubert Lamy’s Pinot Noirs are fermented in cement vats before ageing in French oak barrels (20% new) for 18 months. The Santenay Rouge ‘Clos des Hâtes’ boasts a medley of berry fruits and supple tannins on the palate, which Olivier attributes to zero SO₂ additions during élevage.
Vineyards
‘Les Chataigners’ is a small lieu-dit, situated between Meursault and Saint Aubin. The vines are planted on limestone soils at a higher elevation of 340-380 metres, meaning the vineyard is cooler and often the last to be harvested, and resulting in fresh and delicately perfumed wines. The vines are between 21 and 31 years old, trained using the Guyot Poussard method and are farmed without the use of fertilisers and with organic composts.
Vintage
In 2023, the winter was milder than average. However, the alternation of warmer and colder days caused a slight delay in the start of the vegetative cycle, which spanned the first two weeks of April. With excellent climatic conditions at the beginning of May, the vine grew at a steady pace. Flowering took place at the beginning of June, predicting a harvest in early September. The grape output was generous, and the harvest volume was promising. July was very unstable, and two hail episodes in mid-July caused some very localized damage. The ripening took place in very hot and sunny weather. The grapes reached maturity from the beginning of September and the harvest ended at the end of the month. Careful sorting in the vineyard and in the winery was often necessary to bring in the grapes in the best condition. Overall, 2023 was a plentiful vintage of excellent quality, with great maturity and powerful and balanced aromatics.
Vinification
The Chardonnay grapes were hand-harvested into small boxes and transported to the winery, where they were gently pressed in a pneumatic press. Temperature-controlled fermentation took place in used French oak barrels, without bâtonnage or the addition of sulphur dioxide. The wine was then aged for roughly 24 months before being lightly filtered and bottled.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Pale yellow in colour with youthful highlights, this wine has an expressive and open nose. Aromas of fresh peach and pear, citrus and floral notes carry through to the palate. Well-balanced and delicate, the finish has fresh texture and a subtle minerality.
Alcohol (ABV)
13%
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domaine Hubert Lamy | Saint-Aubin `La Princée` | HL103 | W | Factsheet | |
| Saint-Aubin 1er Cru `Clos du Meix` | HL104 | W | |||
| Santenay Rouge `Clos des Hâtes` | HL105 | R | |||
| Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru `Les Macherelles` | HL111 | W |