Lucien Le Moine
About Lucien Le Moine
Founded in 1999 by Mounir and Rotem Saouma, Lucien Le Moine is an expression of the Burgundian drive to lovingly craft only the very best wines from the very best terroirs, regardless of any external factors. These are wines of truly relentless excellence.
The concerted aim of this house is to produce no more than 100 barrels of 1er and Grand Cru wine each vintage, varying from year to year as Mounir samples each vineyard before deciding which meet his lofty standards. Often only securing a single barrel per vineyard, their 100 barrel release in 2017, for example, covered 68 different wines.
The Winemaking
Lucien Le Moine has no running contracts with growers (although they will often source grapes repeatedly from the best), and they have no prerequisites with regards to how the vines were managed. Fascinatingly, this producer is not a winemaker, as such, as they purchase wines after fermentation. Instead, the art for which Mounir and Rotem Saouma have become so revered is the élevage - the process of ageing, filtration, racking etc. in their facility in Beaune.
Given their focus on post-fermentation processes, they work very closely with one specific barrel supplier, who sources the very finest wood from the great forests of France and wider Europe. Such is their care and determination, that each individual barrel is composed and toasted slightly differently to match and season each specific wine - attention to detail and artisanal craft reaches its apogee at Lucien Le Moine.
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Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)
Red-ruby. Wild dark berries, smoked meat, mocha and wild herbs on the vibrant nose. Huge, lush and sweet, as deep as it is wide. Brooding earthy low notes are balanced by superb violet lift. A Bonnes-Mares of great palate-saturating persistence. A fabulous showing today, and built for a long life in bottle.Inc. GSTSG$1,105.16 -
Burghound (89-92)
A moderately toasty nose reflects notes of cassis, wild red currant and soft floral wisps. The sleek, muscular and broad-shouldered flavors make quite a contrast with the slightly skinny and lean finish where the wood toast telegraphed by the nose resurfaces. Again, this may come together but that is far from a certainty.Inc. GSTSG$4,091.27 -
Burghound (93-96)
Ripe aromas include those of plum, dark cherry, warm earth and a whisper of the sauvage. The supple, delicious and dense big-bodied flavors flash enormous power and drive that really builds from the mid-palate to the explosively long and sappy finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. Note that this is very firmly structured and in need of at least a decade of keeping and should reward almost two.Inc. GSTSG$4,087.98 -
(1x75cl) 2021Inc. GSTSG$887.15 -
Vinous (94-97)
Good medium ruby. High-pitched violet perfume lifts the aroma of ripe black cherry. Wonderfully suave, intense and refined, with a pungently fresh quality that reminded me of cut grass. This highly concentrated wine has perfectly integrated acidity, as well as a stronger limestone character than usual. In a rather masculine style but also seamless and suave. Finishes with outstanding length and class, the tannins totally buffered by fruit and minerals. Mounir Saouma noted that this wine has been great since the beginning.Inc. GSTSG$4,714.73 -
Burghound (90-93)
Reduction knocks down the underlying fruit though wisps of spice escape the funk. More positively are the racy and highly energetic middle weight flavors that brim with minerality on the markedly firm but balanced and persistent finish that will need to add depth to reach the upper end of my projected range.Inc. GSTSG$3,546.27 -
Burghound (93-95)
This too is firmly reduced. There is almost painful intensity to the beautifully delineated and mineral-driven broad-shouldered flavors that possess a highly refined textured before culminating in an almost crisp, moderately austere and wonderfully persistent finale that is quite firmly structured. This is a bit atypical but no less attractive for it and a Bèze that should amply reward a decade plus of cellaring. Lovely.Inc. GSTSG$4,181.72 -
Vinous (93-95)
Good medium red. Subtly complex, ineffable perfume offers raspberry, heady blood orange, white and black pepper and piquant minerality. The palate offers an uncanny combination of silky texture and outstanding precision and cut, with great lift and inner-mouth aromatic character to the flavors of sappy fresh raspberry and pungent crushed stone. This wonderfully tactile, fine-grained Amoureuses leaves the taste buds quivering on the rising, gripping aftertaste, where the noble tannins are almost invisible today.Inc. GSTSG$4,619.92 -
Inc. GSTSG$3,702.16 -
Inc. GSTSG$5,205.23 -
(6x75cl) 2020Burghound (91-93)
Once again firm reduction buries the fruit and its nuances. There is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the quite full-bodied flavors that possess almost as refined a texture though the underlying muscle seems more obvious on the sappy, austere and built-to-age finale. This is very Baudes in character with its robust yet reasonably refined delivering.Inc. GSTSG$1,531.93 -
(6x75cl) 2008Inc. GSTSG$1,983.15 -
Burghound (90-93)
A soft dollop of wood sets of the super-fresh and elegant aromas of red currant, cherry, anise and lilac. The racy, delicious and refined middle weight flavors possess fine depth and persistence on the moderately structured and bitter cherry-inflected finish. This is really very pretty and should age well.Inc. GSTSG$2,031.17 -
Vinous (90-92)
Dark red-ruby. Good mineral lift to the aromas of red berries, tobacco and cardamom. Bright, fine-grained wine with moderate depth and sweetness but lovely inner-mouth floral lift to its raspberry and stone flavors. Still a bit compressed but this may be gaining in richness. The firmly tannic finish offers good persistence.Inc. GSTSG$1,571.21 -
Inc. GSTSG$1,844.74 -
Inc. GSTSG$1,924.33 -
(6x75cl) 2017Inc. GSTSG$1,516.71 -
Inc. GSTSG$2,163.00 -
Burghound (91-94)
A notably fresher nose offers up notes of various red berries along with a plentitude of floral nuances. There is also better energy on the palate of the medium-bodied flavors that exude evident minerality on the saline and lingering if again mildly rustic finish. With that said, this is much better-balanced.Inc. GSTSG$1,606.07 -
Inc. GSTSG$1,917.75 -
Vinous (92-94)
(from vines in both Charmes and Mazoyères): Dark red-ruby. Inviting aromas of raspberry, minerals, smoked meat and dried rose, along with a cool licorice note. Juicy, intense wine with excellent definition and lovely inner-mouth floral lift. Still a bit youthfully medicinal but already conveys an attractive texture and a harmony of elements. Finishes juicy, spicy and quite long, with suave, fine-grained tannins and a repeating suggestion of medicinal reserve. Saouma was not the only producer I visited this fall who noted that Charmes-Chambertin has benefited substantially from global warming. Not too long ago, Charmes typically had a greenness as well as underripe tannins, he said. (I will withhold early judgment on a 350-liter barrel of Griottes-Chambertin, which was fusel and extremely reduced, and still had some unconverted malic acidity.)Inc. GSTSG$2,870.47 -
Burghound (91-94)
A very pretty and airy nose features notes of red cherry, raspberry and spice with a shading of soft wood and earth. On the palate though this is not nearly as concentrated though there is still perfectly good concentration and a sleek muscularity on the vibrant, detailed and lingering finish. While this is by no means light, it is a Charmes built more along the lines of finesse than power.Inc. GSTSG$2,698.23 -
(6x75cl) 2019Burghound (92-94)
Firm reduction flattens the under fruit today. More interesting are the fleshier and less mineral-driven flavors that possess solid flavors that are really lovely texture while exhibiting fine depth and persistence on the balanced and less structured finale.Inc. GSTSG$3,221.43 -
Inc. GSTSG$4,272.15 -
Inc. GSTSG$280.75 -
(6x75cl) 2008Vinous (92-95)
Good full red. Outstanding smoky depth to the wild aromas of game and crushed stone; soil is currently dominating fruit here. Then fat, sweet and savory in the mouth, with an umami-like tex ture and a subtle smokiness that is all about terroir Finishes with outstanding smoky persistence. This is more Clos de la Roche than pinot noir: I can imagine a wine lover weaned on New World pinot being utterly mystified by this.Inc. GSTSG$2,544.50 -
(6x75cl) 2009Vinous (94-97)
The 2009 Clos de la Roche is drop-dead gorgeous. It shows remarkable depth and polish in its elegant, impeccable bouquet and harmonious, layered fruit. This is all finesse, all the way. My notes read: extraordinary!Inc. GSTSG$2,648.05 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2012 Clos de La Roche is attractive, but it's also a bit monolithic. Menthol, crushed rocks, smoke, spices, anise and earthy notes add complexity to the fruit. There is plenty of energy and power in the glass, but less in the way of elegance or finesse, at least today.Inc. GSTSG$5,655.42 -
Burghound (88-91)
A somber nose half-heartedly offers up notes of forest floor, earth and leather on the essence of red berry fruit-scented aromas. There is better volume and muscle to the bigger and richer if decidedly grippy and somewhat short finish. This too may lengthen out but today it seems a bit clipped and compact.Inc. GSTSG$2,238.27 -
(6x75cl) 2019Inc. GSTSG$3,112.43
-
Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (93-96)
Red-ruby. Wild dark berries, smoked meat, mocha and wild herbs on the vibrant nose. Huge, lush and sweet, as deep as it is wide. Brooding earthy low notes are balanced by superb violet lift. A Bonnes-Mares of great palate-saturating persistence. A fabulous showing today, and built for a long life in bottle.In BondSG$1,005.00 -
Burghound (89-92)
A moderately toasty nose reflects notes of cassis, wild red currant and soft floral wisps. The sleek, muscular and broad-shouldered flavors make quite a contrast with the slightly skinny and lean finish where the wood toast telegraphed by the nose resurfaces. Again, this may come together but that is far from a certainty.In BondSG$3,700.00 -
Burghound (93-96)
Ripe aromas include those of plum, dark cherry, warm earth and a whisper of the sauvage. The supple, delicious and dense big-bodied flavors flash enormous power and drive that really builds from the mid-palate to the explosively long and sappy finish where the only nit is a hint of warmth. Note that this is very firmly structured and in need of at least a decade of keeping and should reward almost two.In BondSG$3,695.00 -
(1x75cl) 2021In BondSG$804.00 -
Vinous (94-97)
Good medium ruby. High-pitched violet perfume lifts the aroma of ripe black cherry. Wonderfully suave, intense and refined, with a pungently fresh quality that reminded me of cut grass. This highly concentrated wine has perfectly integrated acidity, as well as a stronger limestone character than usual. In a rather masculine style but also seamless and suave. Finishes with outstanding length and class, the tannins totally buffered by fruit and minerals. Mounir Saouma noted that this wine has been great since the beginning.In BondSG$4,270.00 -
Burghound (90-93)
Reduction knocks down the underlying fruit though wisps of spice escape the funk. More positively are the racy and highly energetic middle weight flavors that brim with minerality on the markedly firm but balanced and persistent finish that will need to add depth to reach the upper end of my projected range.In BondSG$3,200.00 -
Burghound (93-95)
This too is firmly reduced. There is almost painful intensity to the beautifully delineated and mineral-driven broad-shouldered flavors that possess a highly refined textured before culminating in an almost crisp, moderately austere and wonderfully persistent finale that is quite firmly structured. This is a bit atypical but no less attractive for it and a Bèze that should amply reward a decade plus of cellaring. Lovely.In BondSG$3,781.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
Good medium red. Subtly complex, ineffable perfume offers raspberry, heady blood orange, white and black pepper and piquant minerality. The palate offers an uncanny combination of silky texture and outstanding precision and cut, with great lift and inner-mouth aromatic character to the flavors of sappy fresh raspberry and pungent crushed stone. This wonderfully tactile, fine-grained Amoureuses leaves the taste buds quivering on the rising, gripping aftertaste, where the noble tannins are almost invisible today.In BondSG$4,185.00 -
In BondSG$3,345.00 -
In BondSG$4,720.00 -
(6x75cl) 2020Burghound (91-93)
Once again firm reduction buries the fruit and its nuances. There is excellent volume and mid-palate density to the quite full-bodied flavors that possess almost as refined a texture though the underlying muscle seems more obvious on the sappy, austere and built-to-age finale. This is very Baudes in character with its robust yet reasonably refined delivering.In BondSG$1,350.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008In BondSG$1,760.00 -
Burghound (90-93)
A soft dollop of wood sets of the super-fresh and elegant aromas of red currant, cherry, anise and lilac. The racy, delicious and refined middle weight flavors possess fine depth and persistence on the moderately structured and bitter cherry-inflected finish. This is really very pretty and should age well.In BondSG$1,810.00 -
Vinous (90-92)
Dark red-ruby. Good mineral lift to the aromas of red berries, tobacco and cardamom. Bright, fine-grained wine with moderate depth and sweetness but lovely inner-mouth floral lift to its raspberry and stone flavors. Still a bit compressed but this may be gaining in richness. The firmly tannic finish offers good persistence.In BondSG$1,390.00 -
In BondSG$1,635.00 -
In BondSG$1,710.00 -
(6x75cl) 2017In BondSG$1,340.00 -
In BondSG$1,925.00 -
Burghound (91-94)
A notably fresher nose offers up notes of various red berries along with a plentitude of floral nuances. There is also better energy on the palate of the medium-bodied flavors that exude evident minerality on the saline and lingering if again mildly rustic finish. With that said, this is much better-balanced.In BondSG$1,420.00 -
In BondSG$1,700.00 -
Vinous (92-94)
(from vines in both Charmes and Mazoyères): Dark red-ruby. Inviting aromas of raspberry, minerals, smoked meat and dried rose, along with a cool licorice note. Juicy, intense wine with excellent definition and lovely inner-mouth floral lift. Still a bit youthfully medicinal but already conveys an attractive texture and a harmony of elements. Finishes juicy, spicy and quite long, with suave, fine-grained tannins and a repeating suggestion of medicinal reserve. Saouma was not the only producer I visited this fall who noted that Charmes-Chambertin has benefited substantially from global warming. Not too long ago, Charmes typically had a greenness as well as underripe tannins, he said. (I will withhold early judgment on a 350-liter barrel of Griottes-Chambertin, which was fusel and extremely reduced, and still had some unconverted malic acidity.)In BondSG$2,580.00 -
Burghound (91-94)
A very pretty and airy nose features notes of red cherry, raspberry and spice with a shading of soft wood and earth. On the palate though this is not nearly as concentrated though there is still perfectly good concentration and a sleek muscularity on the vibrant, detailed and lingering finish. While this is by no means light, it is a Charmes built more along the lines of finesse than power.In BondSG$2,420.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019Burghound (92-94)
Firm reduction flattens the under fruit today. More interesting are the fleshier and less mineral-driven flavors that possess solid flavors that are really lovely texture while exhibiting fine depth and persistence on the balanced and less structured finale.In BondSG$2,900.00 -
In BondSG$3,860.00 -
In BondSG$248.00 -
(6x75cl) 2008Vinous (92-95)
Good full red. Outstanding smoky depth to the wild aromas of game and crushed stone; soil is currently dominating fruit here. Then fat, sweet and savory in the mouth, with an umami-like tex ture and a subtle smokiness that is all about terroir Finishes with outstanding smoky persistence. This is more Clos de la Roche than pinot noir: I can imagine a wine lover weaned on New World pinot being utterly mystified by this.In BondSG$2,275.00 -
(6x75cl) 2009Vinous (94-97)
The 2009 Clos de la Roche is drop-dead gorgeous. It shows remarkable depth and polish in its elegant, impeccable bouquet and harmonious, layered fruit. This is all finesse, all the way. My notes read: extraordinary!In BondSG$2,370.00 -
Vinous (93-95)
The 2012 Clos de La Roche is attractive, but it's also a bit monolithic. Menthol, crushed rocks, smoke, spices, anise and earthy notes add complexity to the fruit. There is plenty of energy and power in the glass, but less in the way of elegance or finesse, at least today.In BondSG$5,135.00 -
Burghound (88-91)
A somber nose half-heartedly offers up notes of forest floor, earth and leather on the essence of red berry fruit-scented aromas. There is better volume and muscle to the bigger and richer if decidedly grippy and somewhat short finish. This too may lengthen out but today it seems a bit clipped and compact.In BondSG$2,000.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019In BondSG$2,800.00

