Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent – 2018
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Vineyard Profile
- Vineyards: Specific granitic soils (gorrhe), laying over deeper soils rich in manganese and metalic oxides. The powerful winds blowing on the appellation have a decisive impact on the maturation and concentration of the fruit.
- Viticulture: Lutte raisonnée (“reasoned protection”): natural soil amendments, manual weed control and integrated pest management
- Vine Age: 40 year old vines
- Density: 10,000 vines/hectare
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Vintage Report
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A cold and rainy winter led to a warm and dry summer. The first quarter of 2018 was the most humid since 1964. As a consequence, mildew spread fast, but in May and June, sunny conditions dispersed the humidity. “La fleur a coulé” meaning that the clusters were long, loose and with millerandage: the fruit was small and concentrated. Juice is rich and powerful, very specific to the 2018 vintage. The heavy rains in the first quarter of the year enabled good development of the plant, which allowed for 40% of the harvest to be vinified in whole cluster. More elegant than 2015, the 2018 will be a powerful one.
- Harvest Date(s): Manual harvest from August 31 – September 10, in small 30-liter containers; two sorting table positioned before the destemmer
- Yields: 34 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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40% 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; 21 days extraction to bring out the full potential of the terroirs.
- Aging: 100% stainless steel for 15 months
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Gamay Noir
- Alcohol: 13%
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Tasting Notes
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Light, slightly earthy bouquet;medium-bodied with supple ripe tannins; rich palate of fresh dark fruits. An immediate pleasure, this wine is ready to drink now.
- Serving Suggestions:
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Images
Reviews
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent — 2018 – Vinous – 91 Points
Shimmering ruby. Powerful blackberry, cherry and licorice aromas are complicated by suggestions of smoky minerals and violet. Well-concentrated and broad in the mouth, offering bitter cherry and dark berry flavors enlivened by a snap of cracked pepper. Slowly building tannins frame the finish, which lingers with very good, dark-fruit driven persistence.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent — 2018 – James Suckling – 90 Points
Full blackberry fruit, generous body and lively acidity make this Moulin-à-Vent easy to enjoy, and the well drafted balance of discreet tannins and mineral acidity at the finish provides very satisfying harmony.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent – 2018 – Wine Spectator – 91 Points
The light tannins are beautifully textured and encase vivid raspberry and currant flavors matched with woody spice, licorice and floral details. Undertones of mineral and spice sail through the tangy finish. Drink now through 2026.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Couvent des Thorins, Moulin-à-Vent – 2018 – Wine & Spirits – 92 Points
A selection from 40-year-old vines growing in granite soils with manganese, this wine fermented with some whole clusters (20 perfect) and then aged for 16 months in stainless steel. That élevage preserved the generous depths of fruit in the wine, floral up front, edged with bright tannins and green peppercorn spice in the end. A bold and zesty 2018, this will benefit from a year in the bottle age.