2007 Moulin a Vent, La Rochelle, Olivier Merlin

Olivier Merlin installed himself in the Maconnais in 1987 and was soon making the headlines with his superb white wines. However he kept casting envious glances further south to the Beaujolais and was like the proverbial cat with two tails when he managed to buy nearly a hectare of Moulin à Vent. It comes from a prime spot, La Rochelle, which enjoys the ideal, manganese-rich, red sandy-granitic soil of the region.

The vines are perfectly mature as well, at between 35 and 90 years old. Moulin à Vent has the greatest potential of all the 10 Beaujolais crus, especially when vinified with the care and attention that Olivier and Corinne Merlin have lavished on it. The wine has been matured for 18 months in small oak barrels to ensure a fine long term future. 2007 is the second vintage the Merlins have produced of La Rochelle
(Jasper Morris MW, BBR Buyer)