Why it matters
The producer
Maison Jean Loron has both négociant operations and vineyards of its own. A négociant works with wines or fruit from more than one vineyard source, while a vineyard owner farms land under its own control. These roles are organized through Domaines Loron in Beaujolais and Domaines Auvigue in Mâconnais. Thierry Bellicaud is the current CEO of Maison Jean Loron.
The named range includes both red and white wines. L'Or des Fous is a Pinot Noir red. Pouilly-Fuissé Les Vieux Murs is a Chardonnay white.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Maison Jean Loron is headquartered in La Chapelle-de-Guinchay at Pontanevaux, in Burgundy. Its vineyard groups extend through Beaujolais and Mâconnais. L'Or des Fous is the Pinot Noir red from Ville-sur-Jarnioux.
Pouilly-Fuissé Les Vieux Murs combines Chardonnay from Fuissé, which contributes roundness, with Chardonnay from Solutré, which contributes tangy aromatics and minerality. Fuissé and Solutré therefore have different roles in the white cuvée.
In the cellar
Vineyards and cellar
Maison Jean Loron has owned or managed vineyards in seven of the ten crus. In the cellar, L'Or des Fous is made using traditional Burgundian vinification. The grapes are destemmed, macerated for 20 days, and matured on fine lees in barrel and stainless steel vats. Destemming removes stems before fermentation. Maceration keeps the skins in contact with fermenting wine, extracting colour and tannin. Fine lees are spent yeast cells, and ageing on them can add texture. Barrel and stainless steel provide different ageing environments. Barrel allows gradual oxygen exchange, while stainless steel keeps the vessel neutral in flavour.
The 2021 Les Vieux Murs is rounded by barrel ageing without obvious oak influence. This type of maturation can add texture and oxygen exposure even when oak flavour remains quiet.
Wines to know
The range in view
The range is organized by colour and grape. L'Or des Fous is the red Pinot Noir cuvée. Pouilly-Fuissé Les Vieux Murs is the white Chardonnay cuvée. The wider portfolio includes crisp whites with pear drop and citrus aromatics, as well as reds with ripe cherry and berry fruit and savoury undertones. The named cuvées sit within the house's broader Beaujolais and Mâconnais portfolio.
L'Or des Fous is ruby red, with blackcurrant, wild strawberries, fern and wood on the nose. The palate is balanced, with delicate tannins and a finish marked by freshness and length.