David Duband Hautes Côtes de Nuits Blanc 2023

David Duband founded his estate in 1991 at Chevannes, in the heart of the Hautes-Cotes de Nuits, and farms seventeen hectares across Burgundy under respectful, low-intervention agriculture. This white comes from the higher, cooler ground above the Cote de Nuits, where the elevation lengthens the growing season and keeps the Chardonnay bright and fresh. The soils are the limestone and marl typical of the slope, lending the wine its stony backbone. It is aged twelve months in French oak barrels, though at this village level the wood is largely older and neutral, so it lends structure and a light nutty seasoning rather than overt oak, while lees contact fills out the texture. The result stays fresh and mineral, true to the cool site. The colour is bright straw with an almost golden sheen. The nose leads with lemon and green apple over white flowers, a touch of pear and a subtle hazelnut note. The palate is precise and lively, the crisp acidity carrying citrus and orchard fruit to a clean, gently saline finish with just a hint of oak-derived depth. Serve chilled at 10 to 12 degrees.