Lucien Le Moine : Vougeot 1er cru "Les Petits Vougeots" 2019

Characteristics and Tasting Notes for the Vougeot 1er Cru "Les Petits Vougeots" 2019 by Lucien Le Moine

A Pinot Noir from Vougeot, Rooted Between Clos Vougeot and Musigny

The Estate

Lucien Le Moine was founded in 1999 in Beaune, Burgundy, by Rotem and Mounir Saouma, who still run the house together today. Conceived as a "small House of Grands Crus," this micro-négociant deliberately limits its production to around 100 barrels a year, sourced exclusively from premier and grand cru plots across the Côte d'Or. Every step, from receiving the juice to bottling, is carried out by hand by the two founders, who favor long aging on lees, minimal sulfur use, and new oak barrels from the Jupilles forest to express the purity and typicity of each terroir.

The Vineyard

The grapes for this cuvée come from Vougeot 1er Cru "Les Petits Vougeots," a premier cru climat located in the Côte de Nuits, on the commune of Vougeot. The plot lies in the direct extension of the historic Clos Vougeot, just below the Musigny grand cru and alongside the renowned Les Amoureuses climat, placing it among a remarkable cluster of prestigious terroirs. Its soils are deep yet notably stony, combining good drainage with sufficient depth for root development, while the gentle slope offers favorable sun exposure without excessive heat or water stagnation.

Winemaking and Aging

In keeping with the house's philosophy, Vougeot 1er Cru "Les Petits Vougeots" 2019 is vinified from juice delivered with its full lees, without any prior racking, allowing the wine to rest undisturbed in barrel throughout its aging. No sulfur is added during the elevage, the wine being protected instead by natural carbon dioxide and the lees themselves, which create a reductive environment that limits oxidation. The wine is raised exclusively in new oak barrels made from fine-grain wood sourced from the Jupilles forest, crafted in collaboration with cooper Stéphane Chassin. Bottling is done by gravity, without fining or filtration, preserving the wine's natural texture and purity.

Grape Varieties

100% Pinot Noir.