2020 St Aubin Blanc La Chatenieres

The 2020 Saint-Aubin La Chatenière 1er Cru has a very endearing bouquet. There's a little more oak presence here, with hints of almond and a touch of vanilla extract, though the terroir still shines through. That said, returning to my glass after ten minutes, that oak seems to have strengthened and slightly occludes its sense of place. The palate is well-balanced with a richer, more Chassagne-inspired opening. Slightly honeyed in texture, intimating some botrytised fruit, attractive in its own way though maybe just lacking a bit of nerve. Tasted blind at the annual Burgfest tasting.