# Clos de la Roche Grand Cru (2018)

- **Producer:** Lucien Le Moine
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** 100% Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Burgundy, France
- **Style:** Natural
- **Average price:** €398
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, black plum, raspberry, red cherry, vanilla, cedar, smoke, coffee, chocolate, biscuit, dried fruit, leather, earth, mushroom, tobacco

## About this wine

Clos de la Roche Grand Cru from Lucien Le Moine is a 2018 vintage red wine from Burgundy, France, specifically the Côte de Nuits sub-region. Produced from 100% Pinot Noir, this Grand Cru wine is a product of the micro-négociant house founded by Mounir and Rotem Saouma. Their philosophy centers on minimal intervention and expressing the purity of the terroir, sourcing grapes from esteemed Grand Cru vineyards. The Clos de la Roche vineyard, situated between Morey-Saint-Denis and Gevrey-Chambertin, is known for its rocky, limestone soils. The 2018 vintage was marked by excellent ripening, contributing to the wine's powerful structure. Lucien Le Moine's distinctive approach includes extensive aging in 100% new oak and a hands-on, two-person operation, resulting in extremely limited production.

## Interesting facts

- Lucien Le Moine produces only 1-3 barrels (300-900 bottles) per cru.
- The Saoumas handle all winemaking by hand as a two-person operation.
- Wines are aged in 100% new oak barrels sourced from the Jupilles forest.
- A significant CO2 blanket protects the wine during aging, reducing sulfur needs.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium-plus tannins and structure are well-suited to complement the richness of proteins like duck, lamb, and game. Its acidity cuts through fatty elements, while the wine's inherent complexity can stand up to and enhance dishes with earthy or savory notes, such as mushrooms and truffles.

## Wine making process

The winemaking process at Lucien Le Moine is characterized by a philosophy of extreme care and minimal intervention. Grapes are sourced from Grand Cru vineyards, and fermentation is carried out using only indigenous yeasts. The wines are then aged for an extended period in 100% new oak barrels from the Jupilles forest, remaining on their full lees with regular stirring (bâtonnage). This lengthy élevage, combined with a deliberate reduction in sulfur usage, allows the wines to develop significant texture and complexity, showcasing the purity of the terroir. Bottling is performed by gravity, without fining or filtration.