Hubert Lamy Bourgogne Les Chataigners 2022

Hubert Lamy Bourgogne Les Chataigners 2022
Olivier Lamy and his vines appear to have handled the 2022 growing season admirably, despite the hydric deficit and warm conditions. This is an estate whose wines have generally demanded a bit of patience out of the gates, yet the 2022s are especially charming, exhibiting a youthful expressiveness and sense effortless this year that makes them especially appealing. Bottling under Diam 30, with concomitantly somewhat lower levels of free sulfites, surely has something to do with it. But it's probably also simply the result of over two decades' work coming together in a seamless synthesis. Whether it's cutting-edge viticulture, including plantings at over 20,000 vines per hectare and unhedged canopies; extended maturation on the lees, which now amounts to 24 months in total, 23 of those in largely neutral wood; obsessive attention to closures and bottling practices; or a host of other small details that, cumulatively, make the difference between the best and the rest, Lamy has spared nothing to get to where he is today. - William Kelley

Lamy farms four small parcels on the white limestone soils of Les Chataigners, a vineyard tucked up at the far end of the village. This is Lamy’s highest, coolest climat, and the vines were planted in 1990 and 2008. Perennially one of the Côte’s most impressive Bourgogne-level whites, the 2022 lives up to this reputation. It is worth noting that, in most years, this wine includes plenty of declassified fruit from higher appellations.

“A pretty freshness and with some florals too. Scale, silk, that’s like 23 too but with additional dry extract in this finish. Finishing strong and faintly chalky. Great wine for the label !!” Bill Nanson, Burgundy Report

The 2022 Bourgogne Les Chataigners is ample and fleshy, bursting with aromas of pear, ripe apples, white flowers and fresh bread. Medium-bodied, open and giving, it includes declassified juice from the final press fractions of Lamy's top cuvées. This will drink well on release. 89 Points - William Kelley, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate