Domaine Hubert Lamy : Saint-Aubin 1er cru "Les Frionnes" 2018

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Saint-Aubin Premier Cru "Les Frionnes" 2018 from Domaine Hubert Lamy

Tasting

Color

The color shows a lemon-yellow hue with green highlights, revealing crystal clarity and remarkable brilliance.

Nose

The nose unfolds an intense aromatic complexity that gradually opens up with aeration. It reveals aromas of ripe pear, lemon oil, toasted bread and iodine, accompanied by notes of jasmine, honey, fresh butter, very ripe white fruits and fresh almond. Spicy touches of vanilla and cinnamon complete this refined bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the attack is lively and warming, shaped by harmonious, balanced acidity. The creamy, generous texture reveals remarkable density and multidimensional depth. The palate expresses notes of fresh butter, crunchy nuts and subtly integrated toasted oak. The indulgent, lingering finish extends the sensory impression with vibrant acidity running through the wine’s entire profile.

Food and wine pairings

This Saint-Aubin Premier Cru "Les Frionnes" 2018 pairs harmoniously with fine fish such as John Dory or turbot, shellfish and seafood like spiny lobsters and oysters, as well as poultry with cream and mushrooms. It also elegantly accompanies white meats in delicate sauces, mushroom risottos, or aged soft cheeses such as Époisses.

Serving and cellaring

The Saint-Aubin Premier Cru "Les Frionnes" 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 11 and 12 degrees Celsius. A light aeration of half an hour can enhance the wine’s aromatic expression. This wine can be enjoyed now, but will continue to evolve through around 2029.

A full-bodied, vibrant Saint-Aubin Premier Cru from Burgundy

The estate

The Domaine Hubert Lamy, founded in 1973 in Saint-Aubin in the Côte de Beaune, now spans 18.5 hectares. Led by Olivier Lamy and his wife Karine, following Hubert Lamy’s gradual handover of responsibilities, the estate embodies contemporary winemaking excellence rooted in a family tradition dating back to the mid-17th century. Recognized as one of Burgundy’s finest white-wine producers, Olivier Lamy has adopted groundbreaking practices including ultra-high-density planting and precision winemaking. The estate has earned two stars from the Revue du Vin de France, and its cuvées are regularly praised by international critics.

The vineyard

The climat "Les Frionnes" lies in the south of the Côte de Beaune in Saint-Aubin, with a predominantly south and southeast exposure. The terroir features shallow clay-limestone soils with a limestone-dominant profile, lending the wines refined minerality and remarkable aromatic purity. Domaine Hubert Lamy farms this climat across 2.40 hectares, with vines planted between 1935 and 1985. This 50-year spread between the oldest and most recent vines enriches the wine’s complexity and personality, with each generation of vines bringing its own expression of the terroir.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in Burgundy was marked by an exceptionally hot, dry, sun-filled year. The scorching summer was followed by September harvesting in summer-like conditions, with grapes in excellent health. With exacting growers such as Olivier Lamy—where yields are methodically controlled and precision vineyard practices are applied—the 2018 vintage reveals a richly layered aromatic palette, with a perfectly balanced palate combining roundness and freshness despite the extreme weather conditions.

Winemaking and aging

The Saint-Aubin 1er Cru "Les Frionnes" 2018 is vinified with remarkable precision. The grapes are gently pressed, then very lightly settled before being transferred to 300- to 600-liter demi-muids. Alcoholic fermentation proceeds slowly, temperature-controlled at low levels, and can extend up to 90 days. Lees stirring is kept to a minimum. Aging takes place for 12 to 18 months in demi-muids that have mainly held wine for several years, minimizing the impact of new oak. After aging, the wine rests for an additional six months in an inert tank, allowing full integration of the different components while preserving maximum freshness.

Grape variety

100% Chardonnay.