2008 Domaine Hubert Lamy Puligny-Montrachet Les Tremblots

Domaine Hubert Lamy was established in 1973 by Hubert Lamy, whose family has been growing grapes and making wine in Burgundy since the 17th century. In 1995 his son Olivier joined the business after earning a degree in viticulture and business. Together they added vineyards to the estate, and today domaine Hubert Lamy owns 46 vineyard acres divided among the appellations of Saint-Aubin, Puligny-Montrachet and Santenay. The estate makes primarily white wine, with 80% of its vineyards planted to Chardonnay and 20% to Pinot Noir. Lamy’s Grand Cru and Premier Cru white wines often earn scores in the high-90s. In 2012 Wine Advocate wrote that “Lamy is one of the great, not yet widely discovered domaines in all of Burgundy. Readers should do whatever they can to check out these fabulous wines.”

Puligny-Montrachet, according to Burgundy writer Clive Coates, “is the greatest white wine commune on earth.” Though other reviewers are not always as extravagant in their praise, there is no question that the appellation’s wines are generally the most lauded Chardonnays in the world. Puligny-Montrachet the commune is tiny, with fewer than 500 residents. Yet the appellation named for it has 1,250 acres of vineyards, including 76 acres of Grands Crus and 247 acres of Premiers Crus. Its four famous Grands Crus are Montrachet, Chevalier-Montrachet, Bâtard-Montrachet and Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet. There are 26 Premiers Crus completely or partly in the appellation. The Premiers and Grands Crus vineyards are on slopes that eventually rise to 1,300 feet and become total rock. In his admiration for this appellation, Coates added “The top Montrachets, Chevaliers and Bâtards are wines to drink on bended knees, with heartfelt and humble thanks.”

This white variety originated in Burgundy, but is now grown around the world. Its flexibility to thrive in many regions translates to wide flavor profile in the market. Chardonnay is commonly used in making Champagne and sparkling wines.