Like Olivier Lamy in Saint-Aubin and his friend Jean-Marc Vincent in Santenay, Bruno Lorenzon applies grand cru standards of viticulture to his vines in Mercurey and Montagny attempting to reach the greatest potential quality.
He believes 90% of the quality of a wine comes from the vineyard. Most of his vines are planted at 12,000 vines/ha (normal density is 10,000), some higher. They are trained up to 2m high. Six people are employed for 10ha. 750 man hours are worked per ha (normal is around 250 man hours per ha). Yields are low, 35-45hl/ha. The wines are organically cultivated with light tractors, one with caterpillar tracks, to avoid soil compaction. There have been no herbicides for 30 years.
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In the cellar the grapes are received in tiny cases of just 6kg to ensure pristine quality fruit. Whites are whole-bunch pressed and cold settled for 72 hours before barrel fermentation. Reds are fermented with 40-75% whole bunch. The wines are matured for 12-18 months in barrels which he makes himself. 25-50% are new.
The result is concentrated, balanced wines with great intensity of flavour. The wines transcend their appellations.
The cost of production given the low yields and work in the vines is high, but the prices of the wines are matched by their quality.
2022 is an outstanding-quality vintage, ripe yet fresh with a beautiful, harmonious balance of all elements in both red and white wines. All will benefit from further maturation in bottle.
