Lucien Le Moine
Summary
Lucien Le Moine is a micro-négociant founded in 1999 by Mounir and Rotem Saouma in Burgundy, focusing exclusively on Premier and Grand Cru Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from meticulously selected vineyard sections across the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune. Their distinctive winemaking approach features extended lees aging (18-24 months), 100% new oak, minimal intervention with no fining or filtering, and limited racking, resulting in extremely limited allocations that have earned them cult status among collectors.
Heritage & Leadership
Lucien Le Moine was founded in 1999 by husband and wife team Mounir and Rotem Saouma as a micro-négociant operation in Burgundy, France. The name "Lucien Le Moine," which translates to "light of the monk," pays homage to the monastic origins of winemaking in the Burgundy region. Since its establishment, the winery has remained under the ownership and direct management of the founding couple, with Mounir Saouma serving as the primary winemaker and directing all cellar operations.
The Saoumas have maintained their original vision of creating a small-scale operation focused on producing limited quantities of high-quality wines. Their commitment to hands-on involvement in every aspect of production has been a defining characteristic of Lucien Le Moine since its inception. While maintaining their Burgundy operation, the Saoumas have also expanded their winemaking ventures to include projects in Châteauneuf-du-Pape under a separate label.
Vineyards & Wines
Lucien Le Moine operates exclusively as a négociant, purchasing grapes or must from growers rather than owning vineyards. This model allows them to work with fruit from both the Côte de Nuits and Côte de Beaune regions, sourcing from approximately 40-50 different appellations throughout Burgundy. Their portfolio focuses on Premier Cru and Grand Cru sites, reflecting their commitment to working with fruit from Burgundy's most distinguished vineyards.
The winery works exclusively with Burgundy's classic grape varieties: Pinot Noir for red wines and Chardonnay for whites. Their production includes both red and white wines, with a portfolio that showcases the distinct terroir characteristics of different appellations. The Saoumas are highly selective about their grape sources, often choosing specific sections within vineyards to ensure quality and distinctive character in their wines.
Philosophy & Practice
Lucien Le Moine's winemaking approach is characterized by several distinctive techniques that have become hallmarks of their production style. Their wines undergo extended aging on lees, typically 18-24 months, which is longer than many Burgundy producers. All wines are aged in 100% new oak barrels, carefully selected to complement each wine's characteristics.
The operation remains intentionally small-scale, producing only a few barrels of each wine. This limited production allows for meticulous attention to detail throughout the winemaking process. Their approach includes minimal intervention winemaking with no fining or filtering, and they typically avoid racking the wines during the aging process. These techniques are employed to preserve the purity of the fruit and the expression of each vineyard's unique characteristics.
As a négociant who does not control vineyard management, Lucien Le Moine does not pursue organic or biodynamic certifications. However, their focus on quality and terroir expression guides their selection of grape sources and their careful, hands-on approach to winemaking.
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