Hubert Lamy St. Aubin 'La Princée' 2021
Country/Region of Origin: France

Region: France, Burgundy, Cote d'Or, Saint Aubin

Grape variety: 100% Chardonnay

Background: Domaine Hubert Lamy is a wine estate based in Saint-Aubin, Burgundy, producing well-regarded wines from that appellation. The domaine also has holdings in neighbouring appellations in the Côte de Beaune, including a tiny plot in the Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru, several holdings in Chassagne-Montrachet and Puligny-Montrachet, and beyond. The domain was established in 1973, but the Lamy family history of vine growing in Saint-Aubin dates back to 1640. Since setting up, Hubert Lamy has passed management of the domaine onto his son, the Méo-Camuzet-trained Olivier Lamy and his wife Karine. The estate now covers just under 20 hectares (50 acres) across Saint-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet, Chassagne-Montrachet and Santenay. However, the majority of the domaine vineyards are in Saint-Aubin, with around two-thirds of the holdings are given to Chardonnay and the remaining third, Pinot Noir.

Tasting notes: This cuvée is from 10 parcels covering three hectares of village-level St Aubin. It’s aged mostly in larger 500- and 600-litre demi-muids, about 10% of which are new. These vines are mostly in the cooler parts of the village; they manifest themselves in a lemon-zest freshness that kicks in at the finish.

The Saint-Aubin La Princée is very pretty, displaying notes of pear, white flowers, citrus oil and a subtle touch of anise. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, tangy and elegantly textural, with excellent length on the precise finish.

Reviews

Wine advocate - Rated 89-91/100, Saint Aubin, La pincée cru, White 2018

Allen Meadows - 88-90, Saint Aubin, La pincée cru, White 2018

Wine advocate - Rated 90/100, Saint Aubin, La pincée cru, White 2019: “Aromas of pear, freshly baked bread, lemon oil and bread dough introduce Lamy's 2019 Saint-Aubin La Princée, a medium to full-bodied, layered and incisive wine built around a racy spine of acidity and chalky extract. Concluding with a saline finish, this has turned out beautifully.”