DOMAINE LUCIEN LE MOINE 1er Cru Grandes Ruchottes, Chassagne-Montrachet Lucien Le Moine is a unique négocianthaute couture is often how they are described. Husband and wife, Mounir and Rotem Saouma source small parcels of wine from many producers. Their contribution to the wine is in the elevage, esoteric regime which changes each vintage relying on Mounirs sensory talents forged in a Trappist monastery in Lebanon and honed in their vaulted cellars in the Cote dOr. Working with the best (Jupilles, FRA), fine-grained new oak, the Saoumas produce a staggering number of Grands and 1er Crus cuvees.

This wine is made from two parcels which are found on the border of the communes of Meursault and Puligny-Montrachet. The first, which is to the left of the Clos des Perrières, has clay/limestone soil and a subsoil of volcanic rock which allows a healthy root system to develop in this limestone-rich environment. The second is on the upper slope and overlooks the Perrières quarry. Here the soil is heavily limestone, partly as marl and partly as white rock. This is interesting for the way it brings mineral notes to the wine. During tastings it often find notes of white pepper and other spices both on the nose and on the palate.

Grand Cru Cuvée du Kalimeris Corton-Charlemagne Driven by a predilection that deems the sum far greater than its individual parts, Laurent Ponsot has blended across plots on this venerated hillside, all Grand Cru, to deliver a masterpiece. The essence of the terroir, as he sees it. Loads of toasted nuts, nougatine and the inflection of lemon oil, yellow plum and lime curd that so often defines the finest Corton-Charlemagne. A confluence of precise mineral vibrato and almost unctuous power, melded as a curvaceous whole of thrilling length. Make no mistake, this should be buried in the cellar.