Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent — 2019
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Introduction
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Moulin-à-Vent’s weathered granite soils are thin, with sandy pockets, enriched by high mineral nutrients and a granite bedrock with seams of manganese, copper, iron and other metallic oxides. Its clay-rich soil contains five minerals, giving the wine its unique character. The powerful winds blowing on the appellation have a decisive impact on the maturation and concentration of the berries, and depth that give the wine its instantly recognizable intensity.
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Vineyard Profile
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This flagship wine is produced from selections of the harvest from three top terroirs of Moulin-à-Vent, all located near the fifteenth century windmill at the heart of the Moulin-à-Vent appellation. The altitude is between 240-280 meters (787-918 feet) with a predominantly southeastern exposure.
1) “Les Thorins”, iconic and central terroir of the appellation, facing South
2) “Le Moulin-à-Vent”, iconic and central terroir of the appellation, facing East
3) “Aux Caves”, soils rich with silica, with 80 year old vines
- Viticulture: Organic cultivation without official certification; natural soil amendments, manual weed control and integrated pest management; gobelet pruning and trellising
- Vine Age: Average age of 40 to 80+ years
- Density: Density: 10,000 vines/hectare (4,047 vines/acre)
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Vintage Report
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A very sunny, very positive vintage. Frost in early April as well as summer heatwaves led to low yields. Harvest took place later than usually. Overall, balanced and aromatic fine wines were produced.
- Harvest Date(s): Manual harvest from September 11 – September 18, in small 30-liter containers; two sorting tables positioned before the destemmer.
- Yields: 25 hectoliters pre hectare (less than 2 tons per acre)
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Vinification
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60% whole cluster; pumping-over during cold pre-fermentation soak and at the end of fermentation to increase roundness and finesse. Punching the cap at the beginning of fermentation
- Aging: 12 months; 20% French oak, 80% stainless steel; oak chosen from the Allier and Vosges forests followed by 6 months in stainless steel
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Technical Information
- Alcohol: 13.0%
- Optimum Drinking: 5-10 years, with gradual development over the years. Younger wines should be poured into a carafe one hour before serving.
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Tasting Notes
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A handsome, deep red color with purple tints and lovely aromas, with perfectly mature red and black fruit, hints of spice and floral notes of rose, peony and violet. Good body with fine tannins and good length. Rich, opulent and complex, finishing on a spicy note.
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Images
Reviews
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent — 2019 – Wine & Spirits – 93 Points
“Blended from three estate parcels at the center of the appellation, this wine includes fruit from Aux Caves vineyard, where 80-year-old vines add concentrated fruit to this wine. It has flavor intensity without weight, the crunchy red-currant flavors lasting with a formal elegance. Gamay, elevated and ageworthy.”
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent — 2019 – Wine & Spirits – 93 Points
“It has flavor intensity without weight, the crunchy red-currant flavors lasting with a formal elegance.”
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent — 2019 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
“Exuberant wild strawberry preserves and cherry coulis are bold and inviting in this elegant red, underscored by a chalky fine mineral element and an earthy, gamy note. Polished and pure on the well-integrated palate, this is open yet well-framed and vibrant.”