Lune d’Or 2012-2020
BY NEAL MARTIN |
This Cellar Favourite takes a look at the Bordeaux dry white, Lune d’Or, an increasingly important part of Olivier Bernard’s portfolio. Prior to tasting the Domaine de Chevalier proprietor’s latest releases at en primeur, he opened every vintage since the debut to demonstrate the quality of dry whites from Sauternes and its ageing potential. The project stems from the family’s acquisition of the Haut Caplane estate in 2011 that had been treading water for a number of years. Renamed Clos des Lunes, Bernard has gradually expanded the vineyard to 75 hectares planted with 70% Sémillon and 30% Sauvignon Blanc with numerous parcels of old vines. The harvest is manual and conducted plot-by-plot à la Sauternes, with pickers entering the vineyard in the morning to take advantage of the cooler temperatures. Winemaking broadly follows that of Domaine de Chevalier with slow pressing, débourbage by gravity and ageing on the fine lees during which there is regular lees-stirring. Three cuvées are produced, an entry-level Lune Blanche and Lune d’Argent; Lune d’Or, the top cuvée, is limited to around 20 barrels each year after barrel selection.
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This Cellar Favourite takes a look at the Bordeaux dry white, Lune d’Or, an increasingly important part of Olivier Bernard’s portfolio. Prior to tasting the Domaine de Chevalier proprietor’s latest releases at en primeur, he opened every vintage since the debut to demonstrate the quality of dry whites from Sauternes and its ageing potential.
