Lucien Le Moine

Without question, after over 25 years of producing wine, Lucien Le Moine is one of the most exciting and sought-after producers in Burgundy. Mounir is often labelled a ‘modernist’ due to his passion for the inclusion of large quantities of lees, the long élevage technique, no sulphur use during élevage, and no racking. In fact, as he says himself, it’s “as traditional as it gets,” given the winemaking history of Burgundy.

It’s important to understand just how unique their operation is. Mounir sums it up so well when he describes their dream of creating “a library of some of the greatest Premier and Grand Cru vineyards in the Côte d’Or, every vintage.” It’s an incredible array of some of the most sought-after sites in Burgundy. They are a true micro-négociant, buying between one to three barrels from each site—sometimes making over 50 different crus. Lucien Le Moine was founded in 1999, a partnership between Mounir and his wife, Rotem.

What does Lucien Le Moine mean? The Enlightened One — a tongue-in-cheek tip of the hat to his origins. Mounir, the name of the founder, is Lebanese, and in that language, it means ‘light’; the French equivalent is Lucien. Moine — The Monk — refers to his introduction to wine at a monastery in the Middle East. In the late 1980s, Mounir Saouma’s visit to a Trappist monastery in the Middle East led to a prolonged stay, during which he worked in the monastery vineyards and first learned to make wine. He later studied Viticulture and Oenology in Montpellier, followed by six years working in Burgundy, other regions of France, and California.

Rotem comes from a cheesemaking family, studied agriculture in Dijon, and after winning a national prize from the French Academy of Agriculture for her study of the Côte d’Or, she turned her focus to wine full-time. It’s important to note she has a seriously good palate to match — they make quite the couple.

Each year, their selection can change based on what they taste. Of course, some of their grower relationships have been established over the last 20 years, so each year it’s a mix of wines I’ve come to love and expect them to bottle — along with a few surprises.

A common question I’m asked is: how do they source such iconic vineyards, and how do they choose new wines each year? If you’ve met Mounir — or ever get the chance — you’ll know he’s one in a million. A man of rare talent: highly intelligent and charming all at once. Andrew Jefford puts it best with this quote:

“I know of no one in Burgundy who speaks with more passion, articulacy, exuberance, irreverence, and sometimes wild poetry about different vineyard sites than Mounir Saouma.”

The distinctive style and critical acclaim of Lucien Le Moine’s wines — along with Mounir’s personality — have undoubtedly attracted growers to work with him. Despite being a relative newcomer in Burgundy, many of these proud vignerons, custodians of some of the most sought-after grapes in the world, genuinely want Mounir to vinify their fruit.