Santenay BLANC 1er Cru Les Gravières

Did I mention that Jean-Marc also copied something from his buddy Bruno Lorenzo? In the case of Olivier Lamy (Domaine Hubert Lamy), it is the planting density, which here in Les Gravières is an incredible 17,000 vines per hectare. Bruno inspired Jean-Marc to let the vines grow high above his head, over two meters high. The advantage of a tall plant is its many leaves, which only allow the sun to penetrate to the ground to a limited extent, thus better conserving the moisture in the soil. No, the fact that the soil is shaded is not only an advantage in hot years, but then of course much more so. Today, Jean-Marc is one of the model farmers in Burgundy, although neither he nor his father were winegrowers – Jean-Marc is a vintner by vocation (with a diploma) and took over his grandfather's vines. He replanted these, of course, with Massal selection, and thus laid the foundation for an incomparable wine. This one can not only keep up with the famous wines of the Côte de Beaune, no, it is right up there with the best of them. Its bouquet could well be described as unusual, ranging from seductive stone fruit notes to delicate white floral aromas, from brioche scents to the perfume of freshly roasted hazelnuts. The body of the wine is muscular, the energy is fierce and its finish takes your breath away – maybe, in a few years, your mind too! Kudos, dear Vincents!