Clos de Londres, Moulin-à-Vent – 2009
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Introduction
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In 1862, at the age of 99, Madame Philiberte Pommier showed the wines of Château du Moulin-à-Vent at the Universal Exhibition of London. The cuvées she showcased were 1853, 1854 and 1856. On this occasion, she won the gold medal for “Vins du Mâconnais.” As a commemorative to this dynamic pioneer and her enthusiasm for well-aged wines, the Parinet family decided to produce this cuvée (“Clos of London”) only during the top vintages — 2009, 2011…
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Vineyard Profile
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This wine is produced from a very specific clos of 0.56 hectare (1.38 acres) facing the château. The microclimate was identified 250 years ago by Madame Philiberte Pommier as exceptional, producing long-lived wines with distinctive characteristics. The weathered granite soils are sandy and thin, enriched by mineral nutrients within a granite bedrock with seams of manganese, copper, iron and other metallic oxides. The region’s frequently blowing winds have a positive effect on the maturity and concentration of the grapes.
- Cultivation: "Lutte raisonnée," or “reasoned protection.": natural soil amendments, manual weed control and integrated pest management
- Vine Age: 40 years
- Density: 12,000 vines/hectare (4,856 vines/hectare)
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Vintage Report
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2009 was an exceptional vintage for Château du Moulin-à-Vent. The summer months offered perfect conditions for the vines, while modernization of the cellars and intensive work in the vineyards produced wines of outstanding quality, restoring the Château to its leading position in the appellation. Manual harvest one day only. Grapes were collected in small 30-liter (8-gallon) containers. Sorting table was positioned before the destemmer.
- Harvest Date(s): September 2
- Yields: 25 hl/ha (1.85 tons/acre). 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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100% destemmed; 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
- Barrel Aging: 18 months in 25% aged barrels (75% new): 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
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Gamay Noir
- Alcohol: 13.5%
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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.
Cellaring Potential: 15+ years, with gradual development over the years. - Serving Suggestions: Serve with rib of beef, white rind cheese, red fruit tarts.
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Images
Reviews
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Clos de Londres, Moulin-à-Vent – 2009 – 90 points – Wine Spectator Online
"Richly smoky and spiced, offering steeped black cherry, fig cake and herb flavors, accented by black olive, espresso crème and star anise details. Finely knit, with a lasting, grippy finish."
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Clos de Londres, Moulin-à-Vent – 2009 – 90 points, Year’s Best Red Burgundy – Wine & Spirits
“…its structure facing more toward the Rhône than to the Côte d’Or. Ripe and muscular, powerful and compressed, this has a clove-like note of Brett but enough juiciness in the finish for the fruit to last past the bittersweet tannins.”
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Clos de Londres, Moulin-à-Vent – 2009 – 91 points – vinous
"...Sappy and expansive on the palate, offering ripe blackberry and bitter cherry flavors lifted and braced by tangy acidity. Closes smooth, smoky and long, with supple tannins adding grip."
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Clos de Londres, Moulin-à-Vent – 2009 – 92 points – The Tasting Panel
"A serious cru Beaujolais with tangy plum and cherry fruit; fresh and spicy with elegance, finesse and lovely, generous style."