Clos des Lunes

The history of a great wine is always an involved one…

Starting several years ago, Olivier Bernard and the team at Domaine de Chevalier made a strong commitment to Clos des Lunes, an ancient vineyard in Sauternes, among the finest in Bordeaux. Relying on an intimate relationship with the terroir, the ultimate aim is to create one of the greatest dry white wines on the market.

"I am looking for truly great fruit from this outstanding terroir.”

Clos des Lunes is located in the heart of a small area encompassing the finest great growths of Sauternes, in the communes of Sauternes and Bommes. Historically, this terroir has always been recognised for its ability to produce top-quality sweet white wines.

An obvious fact…

However, before botrytisation, the grapes obviously go through a phase of optimum ripeness that is also conducive to making dry white wines. The fine soil and microclimate here are ideally suited to producing very great dry white wines with remarkable freshness. We take maximum advantage of these unique features…

The vineyard has excellent sun exposure and superb natural drainage thanks to its topography and hydrographic network. This makes for an ideal hydric equilibrium, as evidenced by vines that flourish here despite high-density planting. The topsoil consists of a thick well-aerated layer of large-sized gravel on a clay-limestone subsoil into which the vine roots sink deeply.
Viticultural practices were totally changed to take full advantage of these natural gifts in order to make a great dry white wine.

Above and beyond the unique quality of the terroir, Clos des Lunes’ success is owed to the same winemaking philosophy as Domaine de Chevalier. Just like Domaine de Chevalier, the grapes are handpicked with infinite care at optimum ripeness in several passes, and exclusively in the morning. Olivier Bernard likes to say that “Great wine is always made from great grapes”. He is well aware that it takes a host of meticulous vineyard operations, performed at just the right time, to make a successful vintage.

Winemaking is done by an enthusiastic, technically-sophisticated winemaking team anxious to make the most of every vintage. Reflecting rigorous plot-by-plot vineyard management, grapes from each one are separately fermented in small 50-hectolitre vats or in barrel (depending on the taste profile) after slow, gentle pressing.

"To me, respect for the terroir also means fine-tuning the final blend…"

Attentively tasting and evaluating each lot means that the final blend can be made in an extremely precise way. Clos des Lunes produces three different wines: Lune Blanche, nice to drink young and to enjoy on its fruit, Lune d’Argent, the “grande cuvée” is the result of an intransigent selection whereas Lune d’Or, the “prestige cuvee”, expresses the very quintessence of the estate.

"… The ultimate expression of the terroir, not just a simple blend of grape varieties, but something unique that comes from very depths of the earth..." 

Perfectly in tune with its terroir, Clos des Lunes reflects the same guiding principles as Domaine de Chevalier: precision, bright fruit, pure aromatics, and elegance…

In Sauternes, on one of the greatest white wine terroirs in France... We chose CLOS DES LUNES, to produce this great dry white wine. The terroir in this vineyard has a dual character: on the Sauternes side, it consists of deep gravel, where the vines become deep-rooted _ the Power, and with the magnificently complementary gravel on clay-limestone subsoil on the Bommes side_ the Freshness

A magnificent rolling vineyard, planted with old Semillon and Sauvignon blanc... The 45 hectares of vines are planted on several gravel rises, with optimum explosure to the sun and naturally good drainage. Old Sémillon loves these conditions….

The grapes are picked by hand in several waves, as they reach perfect ripeness... We use the same tried-and-tested method for picking white grapes at Clos des Lunes as we do on our other estates: very strict selection of golden grapes, picked only in the morning by experienced harvesters.

Fermentation and ageing partly in new barrels... The wine is aged in small, 50-hectoliter, temperature-controlled vats, as well as in barrel. The wine’s natural finesse and freshness is enhanced by the power and toasty nuances of new oak. A dedicated winemaking team, whose know-how is internationally recognized...

This wine is from the same stable as white Domaine de Chevalier: expressive of its terroir, bursting with fruit, pure aromas, and elegance… Total respect for our terroir and its fruit... Our philosophy has always been: a great wine is always made from superb grapes.