2021 Joseph Colin Saint Aubin 1er Cru Les Champlots

Region: Burgundy, France

Grape: Chardonnay

Culinary Suggestions: Grilled Lobster, Creamy Pasta, Fried Fish, Roast Poultry, Rich Oysters

Vineyard Practice: Organic

About

The Colin family is revered throughout Burgundy's Côte de Beaune, with a storied history and penchant for crafting exceptional wines of distinction. Indeed, many of its members run prominent Domaines in Saint-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet. Joseph Colin initially trained at Domaine Marc Colin, working alongside his brother, Pierre-Yves, to make the family wines. In 2016, Joseph decided to create his own Domaine, and, subsequently, inherited just over six hectares of vineyards from his family holdings, representing about nineteen different appellations, to start his exciting new venture.

It is a blessing when a talented vigneron like Joseph Colin breaks free from family tradition to pursue a singular dream. It means that he isn't restrained to staid routine anymore and his talent can blossom naturally and without borders.

In the space of just a few vintages, we are already witnessing Joseph's vision and ensuing accomplishments. Both unfolding truly in the vineyards and cellar. He is genuinely making some of the best wines in his region.

Here, yields are kept low in order to create wines of substance, yet Joseph picks on the early side to retain an unmistakable purity and freshness in his wines. He likes the tension and vibrancy in his whites, and feels it is a signature of his output.

Purity is a word that Joseph particularly associates with his wines, since he doesn't like heavy handed or reductive and oaky wines, but rather he allows the different terroirs to shine through truly in the glass. The wines display a tense and vibrant profile, championing minerality and finesse yet there is a comforting richness in the mid-palate.

The wines are handled as little as possible to avoid trituration. Therefore Joseph forgoes bâttonage, filtration and fining, since these different processes strip the wines of character. Only very healthy grapes make it to the press, and no sulphur is used during the winemaking process. That is all up until the final racking, where a medicinal dose of sulphur is introduced before sedimentation in stainless steel tank. That is about one to three months before bottling. - Importer Note

Tasting Notes

Riper though still quite fresh and bright aromas include those of apple compote, acacia blossom and a suggestion of crushed star anise. There is good volume to the nicely concentrated and fleshy medium weight flavors that possess a sappy mouthfeel that buffers the bone-dry, youthfully austere and balanced finale. Here too a few years of cellar time should prove beneficial.

90 points - Allen Meadows, Burghound.com June 2023

Drink: 2027+