Biodynamic. Les Longeays is a continuation of the Les Quarts hillside. La Soufrandière has 0.55 hectares of vines here and they were planted in 1971. While Les Quarts faces east, with a stunning panorama over the Saône, Les Longeays wraps around the contour of the Vinzelles hill as it turns east/southeast. It’s therefore a warmer site and can be harvested as much as a week before Les Quarts. Also, there is a soil change here: unlike Les Quarts, where the limestone lies close to the surface, Les Longeays has metres of deep red clay before the vines hit the mother rock.
Given the exposition and deeper, clay-rich soils, you might be surprised by the salty, mineral intensity of this cuvée. Yes, there are waves of extract and generosity but again, this is a taut and energetic white Burgundy with its texture balanced by vibrant tension. The voltage here is so palpable: expect spring-loaded white stone fruit, crushed rock and salty tang with a finish that deals out plenty of this site’s signature note of iodine/sea spray. Thrilling.