Rarer than Rare: Criots-Batard and Derriere Chez Edouard Haute Densite from Hubert Lamy!

Domaine Hubert Lamy, Saint-Aubin

You're bound to draw attention when deviating from the norm in Burgundy. An initial accident turned gift from the Burgundy Gods, Domaine Hubert Lamy's high density plantings are now revered and imitated across neighboring appellations and the world.

Olivier noted that both cuvées were bottled by hand, using the traditional old school method of a chèvre à deux becs (literally a goat with two mouths), which is a painstakingly slow approach of inserting a spigot in the lower section of a barrel and then filling two bottles at a time. Few producers such as Coche and William Kelley still practice this today.

The "Haute Densité" section (0.10 ha) of Derrière Chez Edouard is so steep the vines can only by worked by a small manual till aided by a winch. Vine plantings were originally 30,000/ha (0.40 ha parcel) before neighbors complained, which led to this density being outlawed. Despite being grandfathered in for his first parcel, Lamy was only permitted to plant 20,000 in the second parcel (0.30 ha) he acquired in 2007.

2018 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Derrière Chez Edouard Haute Densité
JM 96 (5 Stars), WA 94-96, VN 94, BH 91-94 (Outstanding)
"Another tour de force from Lamy is the 2018 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Derrière Chez Edouard Haute Densité, a magical wine that unwinds in the glass with notes of crisp Anjou pear, white flowers, citrus oil, warm bread and smoke. Medium to full-bodied, layered and complete, this searingly intense and assertively mineral Saint-Aubin brought tears to my eyes. Sadly, obtaining even a bottle will require considerable guile and a large disposable income, but what pleasures await the lucky few who will taste this profound white Burgundy." -William Kelley

2022 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Derriere Chez Edouard Haute Densité (Arriving Soon)
WA 97, JM 96 (5 Stars), BH 93 (Outstanding)
"Lamy produced seven barrels of the 2022 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Derrière Chez Edouard Haute Densité from this parcel at the top of the slope, planted at densities of up to 30,000 vines per hectare. Unwinding in the glass with aromas of pear, peach and sweet citrus oil mingled with notions of honeycomb, white flowers and toasty reduction, it's medium to full-bodied, dense and layered, with huge reserves of concentration and structuring dry extract, bright animating acids and a long, electric finish. This is another masterpiece from Olivier Lamy."

Bonus Bottle...
(one of the rarest in our arsenal)

Note: located above d'Auvenay's parcel. A tiny .05 ha (0.12 ac) parcel planted in 1975 to a current density equivalent of 25,000 vines/ha. 300 bottles produced. Bottled by hand.

2021 Criots Batard Montrachet Grand Cru Haute Densité
WA 97, JM 97 (5 Stars), BH 97, CT 98
"Lamy's sole grand cru was happily spared by the April frosts, and in the 2021 Criots-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru Haute Densité he has produced one of the vintage's most imposing wines. Unwinding in the glass with notes of orange zest, pear, freshly baked bread, iodine and toasted nuts framed by a deft touch of youthful reduction, it's full-bodied, layered and multidimensional, with a hugely concentrated and youthfully tightly wound core of fruit that's framed by racy acids and an abundance of chalky structuring extract. Long, resonant and serious, this will demand and richly reward patience in anyone lucky enough to latch onto a bottle of the 300 produced. As readers may know, Lamy inter-planted young vines between the existing old vines in this parcel, with a view to improving the quality of its Chardonnay genetics. His neighbors were at first skeptical, wondering if he was attempting to produce more wine, but their fears were soon allayed when they observed his yields, on the contrary, decrease." -William Kelley

Orders which include wines marked PRE-ARRIVAL that are combined with in stock items will be available for shipping/collection once all items have arrived at our warehouse. Minimum purchase per order is 3 bottles.

We will hold orders by default unless notated by the customer, but if you would like to ship, simply contact us. Orders are automatically insured for $100, though you can add additional insurance at checkout. Please understand that any weather related damaged wines will not be eligible for a refund or store credit.

Automatically receive a discounted ground shipping rate when you order a full case of 12 bottles (mix and match - 750ml only). Shipping promotion not valid for combination with previous orders. Pricing for this offer only and not retroactive.

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-The Bottle List