Les Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent — 2018
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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 (918 feet). The topsoils there are very thin (approx. 60cm) and trellis stakes cannot always be fully anchored. There are specific granitic soils (gorrhe), laying over deeper soils rich in manganese and metallic oxides.
- Viticulture: Lutte raisonnée (“reasoned protection”): natural soil amendments, manual weed control and integrated pest management.
- Size: 4.4 hectares (10.9 acres)
- Vine Age: 65-year old, small, compact vines
- Density: 10,000 vines/hectare (4,047 vines/acre)
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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. 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 (less than 2 tons per acre)
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Vinification
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50% 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: 18 months; 30% French oak, 70% stainless steel; oak chosen from the Allier and Vosges forests
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: 100% Gamay Noir
- Alcohol: 13%
- Optimum Drinking: 7+ 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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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 Les Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent — 2018 – Wine & Spirits – 91 Points
Red fruit and spice. The tannins are gentle and silky, with a bergamot spice.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Les Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent — 2018 – Vinous – 93 Points
Deep ruby. Powerful, spice-accented dark berry and cherry aromas are complicated by suggestions of musky earth, mocha and violet. Densely packed and expansive on the palate, spicy lift to the appealingly sweet bitter cherry, blackberry and floral pastille flavors. Finishes very long and chewy, with dusty tannins building slowly.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Les Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent — 2018 – James Suckling – 91 Points
Ripe sour-cherry aroma and satisfying harmony of fruit, medium body, silky tannins and lively acidity, make this an attractive and quite sophisticated Moulin-à-Vent.
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Château du Moulin-à-Vent Les Vérillats, Moulin-à-Vent — 2018 – Decanter – 92 Points
This has a quiet, cool, character which promises a long future. Ripe tannins and under-stated oak add to the structure and appeal.