Saint-Aubin
1er Cru Sur Gamay 2023
With its prestigious Premiers Crus, Saint-Aubin in the Côte de Beaune holds a place among the great wines; no doubt the select ‘Côte des Blancs’ coterie will soon be expanding to four.
Origin
The vines are mainly planted on the right flank of the broad combe which meanders towards La Rochepot. The appellation area is spread over two different massifs: one, the Montagne de Savoie, which ends the Côte d'Or and the other with the mountain of Ban which is perpendicular.
This second slope houses the climate "Sur Gamay", located near the appellation of Puligny-Montrachet. The slope is strong and the vine is oriented to the east. The climate is called "Gamay", causing some confusion with the variety of the same name, because the plot is located above the hamlet called Gamay (part of Saint-Aubin). The plot is also called "Sous Roche Dumay" which is close to the climat "Les Murgers des Dents de Chien".
Viticulture
Grape variety: chardonnay
Soils: white, very limestone and stony.
Orientation: South
Surface area under vine: 0.3040 ha
Pruning: Guyot system
Yield: 51 hL/ha
Average age of the vine:35 years old.
Vinification
Harvest date: 8 September 2023.
The grapes were handpicked.
At the winery: The whole bunches of grapes were gently pressed for 2½ hours. The temperature of the must was brought down to 12°C then was immediately transferred to barrels with no settling to preserve a maximum of lees.
Ageing
Maturation: aged in 450L barrels for 10 months with no racking or stirring to bring out all of this wine’s minerality. 40% new French oak barrels.
Barrels: Oak of French origin toasted at low temperatures for a long time to impart a subtle, delicate touch of oak were used.
Bottling
Bottling: by gravity on June 27, 2024, wine fined with bentonite, very light lenticular filtration.
Number of bottles: 2,099.
Vintage
Fruity and generous
The 2023 vintage experienced unpredictable weather conditions, making work in the vineyards essential for grape quality. Harvesting began in early September under intense heat with the Chardonnays to avoid over-ripening, followed by the reds. The whites will spend two winters in the cellar, while the Pinot Noirs will have undergone short ageing to preserve the fruity aromas. A vintage that brings out the best in each terroir, offering wines that are bright and delicious.
Ageing potential: from 6 to 9 years.
Tasting notes
The color is golden. The nose is racy and captivating, with intense floral and fruit aromas, enhanced by delicate citrus notes. On the palate, the wine stands out for its minerality and perfect balance, offering a lovely acidic structure and impressive length.
