Saint-Aubin

A discreet appellation in the Côte de Beaune that produces both red and white wines. Saint-Aubin is tucked away in a valley behind the famous villages of Puligny-Montrachet and Chassagne-Montrachet, with which the soil has many similarities. For a long time, Saint-Aubin was less in the limelight, but in recent decades the wines here have gained prestige, especially the white ones.

A white Saint-Aubin is considered an excellent alternative to a Puligny or Chassagne. These wines are pale and bright, with aromas of white flowers, citrus, almond and often a pronounced minerality. Young, they are fresh and lively, with tight acids; with ageing, they gain roundness, length and depth.

The vineyards are at altitudes of 300 to 400 metres, often on slopes with a south- or south-east exposure. The chalky soils, sometimes mixed with marl or gravel, produce wines with tension and finesse. The relatively cool microclimate contributes to the fresh acids and pronounced minerality that are so characteristic of the appellation.

Saint-Aubin has more than 20 Premier Cru, including such well-known names as ‘En Remilly’ and ‘Les Murgers des Dents de Chien’. In total, the appellation covers over 160 hectares of vineyards, about three-quarters of which are planted for white. Saint-Aubin obtained its AOC status in 1937.