Croix des Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent – 2015
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Introduction
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Les Vérillats is one of the earliest delineated terroirs of Moulin-à-Vent. Located above the windmill, on the top of the appellation, it has an eastern exposure with a panoramic view. The granite soil is exceptionally sandy — atypical for a great terroir of this appellation— 60 cm deep and well-drained. It is layered over a bedrock of pink granite that is rich in iron oxide, copper and manganese. The vineyard lies in the corridor of drying winds that exert a positive effect on the maturation and concentration of the grapes.
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Vineyard Profile
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‘Les Vérillats’ stand at the very top of an old granitic mount at 280 meters high. The top soils there are very thin (approx. 60cm) and hence sometime trellis stakes cannot always be fully anchored. The soil is made of pure and fine granitic sands with low nutriment.
- Viticulture: Lutte raisonnée (“reasoned protection”): natural soil amendments, manual weed control and integrated pest management; thanks to the exceptionally clement weather, only five biological treatments of the vines were used this year.
- Size: 4.8 hectares (11.86 acres)
- Vine Age: 65-year old, small, compact vines
- Soil: Thin granitic soil with underlayer of clay
- Density: 10,000 vines/hectare
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Vintage Report
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2015 was the vintage of the century. Berries were of perfect ripeness, from skin to seeds. The wines are rich, concentrated, powerful. Capable of remarkable ageing.
- Harvest Date(s): Manual harvest from August 27 –September 2, in small 30-liter containers; one sorting table 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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25% full cluster; pumping-over during cold prefermentation 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: 12 months, 65% in oak barrels, 20% new wood, medium toast; oak chosen 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. The origin, grain and toast intensity are chosen according to the characteristics of the vintage.
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Gamay Noir
- Alcohol: 13%
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Tasting Notes
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Les Vérillats has a deep red color with an intense nose of black fruit, unusual for the appellation. The mouth is full and supple, with a delicious smoothness balanced by the freshness of the fruit and spices.
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Images
Reviews
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Croix des Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent – 2015 – Vinous – 93 Points
Deep ruby-red. Expansive blackberry, cherry and incense qualities on the nose; smoky mineral and potpourri nuances gain strength with aeration. Juicy and impressively concentrated, offering sappy dark berry liqueur, spicecake and violet pastille flavors that show excellent delineation and minerally lift. Shows the heft of the vintage but comes off surprisingly graceful and finishes sweet and long, featuring building spiciness and fine-grained tannins that come in late.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Croix des Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent – 2015 – James Suckling – 92 Points
The dark berries and lemon zest are very important here. There are also some dried meat and bark undertones. Full body, tight tannins with lots of ripe fruit and a warm finish. A big wine with a backbone that gives it form and focus. Drink now.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Croix des Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent – 2015 – The Wine Advocate – 92 Points
The 2015 Moulin A Vent Croix des Verillats comes from granitic soils known as "gorrhe" that are rich in manganese. The fruit is 75% de-stemmed and 65% is aged in oak for 12 months, 20% new wood. It has an elegant bouquet with red cherries, wild strawberry and crushed violet aromas. The palate is well balanced with supple tannin, crisp acidity and a lithe, almost citrus fresh finish. The new oak is deftly used here, lending a sheen to the wine without encroaching upon its mineralité or terroir expression. Superb.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Croix des Vérillats — 2015 – Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points
Beautifully wood aged, this perfumed wine is rich and elegant. It comes from a single vineyard on the estate, offering a fine line in tannins as well as great black fruits. The wine has weight along with presence and style. Drink from 2020.