Joseph Colin’s 2023 Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Champlots is a focused, site-driven Chardonnay from a steep, south-facing premier cru hillside above La Chatenière, at around 300 meters altitude. The parcel was planted in 2016, and the winemaking choices lean toward transparency: fermentation and aging in older oak—reported as “2/3 older 500L barrels and 1/3 older 228L barrels”—followed by bottling unfined and unfiltered. Alcohol is listed at 13%, placing it firmly in modern, balanced white Burgundy territory.

The only professional review on record here is an excellent one. Burghound scores the wine 93 points (with a note of “(90–93 points)”), highlighting a style that combines reductive complexity with precision and drive. On the nose, Burghound finds “prominent aromas of petrol and mineral reduction… mostly citrus zest and white flowers,” a profile that suggests both youthful tension and a clear mineral stamp. On the palate, the reviewer calls it “racy, delicious and beautifully detailed,” with “middle weight flavors” that keep the wine brisk rather than broad.

The finish is described as “markedly stony, balanced and lemony,” underscoring the vineyard’s elevated, exposed position and the wine’s emphasis on citrus and mineral structure over overt ripeness. Burghound concludes, “This is excellent,” adding the vivid texture note that “the mouthfeel is akin to sucking on a small pebble,” an image that neatly captures the tactile, saline-stone character many seek in top Saint-Aubin.

Taken together, Les Champlots 2023 reads as a Premier Cru meant for drinkers who value energy, detail, and a distinctly stony finish. While the reductive “petrol and mineral” notes may stand out in youth, the overall assessment points to a tightly built Chardonnay with both immediate appeal and room to develop.