Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent – 2014
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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. The eastern and southern exposure of the vineyards maximizes ripening, while the region’s frequent strong winds increase the concentration of the grapes.
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Vineyard Profile
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This flagship wine is produced from selections of the harvest from four of the finest vineyards of the estate, 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) le Moulin-à-Vent: the most emblematic terroir located around the historical windmill; relatively flat with an eastern exposure
2) la Roche: eastern exposure, veins of red iron oxides coming through; old vines, 60+ years old
3) les Thorins: southern exposure
4) les Caves: shallow soils with an eastern exposure; very 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: 10,000 vines/hectare
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Vintage Report
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Very good vintage. Between maturity and acidity, the wines are very well balanced and representative of Moulin-à-Vent.
- Harvest Date(s): Manual harvest from September 11-20, in small 30-liter containers; two sorting tables positioned before the destemmer
- Yields: 27 hectoliters per hectare (Normal yields in the region are 45 - 50 hl/ha, while the maximum authorized is 52 hl/ha.)
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Vinification
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15% full 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; 21 days extraction to bring out the full potential of the terroirs; 100% indigenous yeast
- Aging: 40% of the wine was aged 14 months in 350-liter barrels (average age of barrels was 2.5 years; 10% new wood, medium toast); French oak from the Allier and Vosges forests; excellent sourcing of oak from the top coopers Taransaud and François Frères to bring out the wine’s signature aromas and tannins; 60% of the wine was aged 11 months in stainless steel
- Fining: with egg; no filtration
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Gamay Noir
- Alcohol: 13%
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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, corpulent 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 – 2014 – Vinous – 94 Points
The 2014 Moulin-à-Vent is one of the standouts in this vertical. The combination of fruit richness, bright acids and energy give the 2014 a sense of vitality that is impossible to miss. Sweet red berry fruit, bright acids, white pepper and mint all come alive in the glass. The 2014 really sizzles with energy and tension. Effusive and energetic, with terrific cut, the 2014 is compelling.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent – 2014 – 91 points – Wine Spectator
“Elegant, with ample spice to the ripe cherry and currant fruit, this medium-bodied red shows hints of vanilla, floral and smoke lingering into the long, moderately tannic finish.”
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent, Moulin-à-Vent – 2014 – 17 points – Jancis Robinson
"... Deep and rounded but still with a slight grip to indicate plenty of life ahead. You could broach it now but it has more complexity to come. Finely fresh on the finish..."