Domaine Marc-Colin et fils Saint-Aubin Les Castets Premier Cru 2020

“Marc Colin is one of the best growers in the Côte de Beaune, perhaps to Saint Aubin what Jean-Marc Roulot is to Meursault.” - Neal Martin, Vinous

We’ve shared the quote before, but it is one that bears repeating – Marc Colin’s portfolio has become one of the hottest brands in all of Burgundy, and this single vineyard Premier Cru Saint Aubin we have today is a deal that just can’t be missed! 91-93 points tops last year’s incredible 2019 – and this wine performs like few others from Saint Aubin can claim!

Les Castes is a more recent acquisition of the Marc Colin domaine and one of the smallest Premier Cru in Saint-Aubin, known for its steep sloping aspect and pure, mineral-driven wines. This vineyard, set on the northwestern border of Saint-Aubin is prized for its focused and concentrated notes of white peach and golden apples, all counter-balanced by a zippy minerality. Some of the best producers in the region have their Les Castes bottling at the top of their portfolio, and only a few years in with this fruit for vintner Damien Colin, the results are already shaping up to be spectacular.

Les Castets is the last in a line of Premier Cru vineyards that run roughly west along a valley cut into the Côte d'Or escarpment that runs north to south. Here, stony soils composed of decomposed white limestone provide exceptional drainage that drives roots downwards, increasing the wine’s concentration and minerality. 2020 was a challenging yet exceptional vintage, particularly here in Saint Aubin. A continued rise in prominence for the region is the direct result, as producers from P.Y.C.M. to Marc Colin continue to drive discussion about the region.

This 2020 White Burgundy impressively showcases classic chardonnay expressions of green apples and pears, with citrus notes of lemon and orange, and spiced accents of cardamom, lemongrass, and toasted almond slivers. A juicy and fresh acidity carries this beautifully, giving balance to the rich and weighty mouthfeel. This is tightly wound initially but expands quickly and magically with a bit of time in the glass. Perfect for aging several years, or drinking now after a brief decant – this is an exceptional Burgundy at a delectable price!

PAIRING IDEAS: I enjoyed a bottle of this with a recent Veneto classic – Spaghetti alla Vongole. Simple elegance personified, with bright lemon and herb accents to the salty, fresh clams, with creamy strands of fettuccine to carry it all down beautifully.