Saint-Romain "Sous Le Chateau" 2010, Prunier-Bonheur

I was determined to visit this domaine after enjoying a superb Beaune 1er Cru "Les Sizies" 2001 at Le Montrachet in the summer of 2011. The tasting at the domaine, hosted by M. Pruning-Happiness himself started with this Saint-Romain 2010 blanc which offered a light, fragrant, bouquet of lemon, mandarin and minerals. Sharp lemony fruit with serrated edges -- potentially due to the early morning start. High acidity, bright, lime flavour. Aged in 15% new oak with two rounds of batonnage this is a tasty, lively chardonnay meriting a score of 22/30 for the Saint-Romain appellation. Good value to boot.