About this WINE
Ch. du Moulin a Vent
This classic estate of 30 hectares in the heart of Moulin à Vent has recently been purchased by the Parinet family, whose first vintage is 2009. They plan to make up to five different wines from each vintage, demonstrating the various terroirs which they own in the heart of the appellation. They have clearly got off to a winning start as the wines below demonstrate.
Moulin-à-Vent
Known as the ‘King of Beaujolais’ for its power, structure and longevity, Moulin-à-Vent is the most atypical of all the Beaujolais Crus, even if it is potentially the best. Its style is the antithesis of light, fluffy Beaujolais, and when fully mature (often at 10 years old or more) it resembles more a fine Burgundy, or even a Rhône, than Beaujolais. Named after the local windmill (which translates as moulin-à-vent in French) Moulin-à-Vent is a real vindication of the principle of ‘terroir’.
Moulin-à-Vent's neighbour Fleurie produces perfumed, silky, approachable wines, while Moulin-à-Vent, using the same grape (100% Gamay) and broadly the same vinification, makes wines that are meaty, tannic and intense, and need 2-3 years to mature. The only possible explanation, it seems, is the high proportion of iron and manganese in Moulin-à-Vent’s soil. Moulin-à-Vent tends to be most expensive of the Beaujolais Crus, although happily it is home to a number of very fine producers, so there is plenty for wine lovers to choose from.
Recommended producers: Jacky Janodet, Olivier Merlin.
Gamay
A French variety planted predominately in Beaujolais where it is the grape behind everything from light and often acidic Beaujolais Nouveau through to the more serious and well-structured wines from the 10 cru villages. It takes its name from a hamlet just outside Chassagne-Montrachet and was at one stage widely planted on the Côte d`Or. However it was gradually phased out due to its poor yield and supposed poor quality of its wines.
The majority of Gamay wines in Beaujolais are labelled as Beaujolais or Beaujolais-Villages and are deliciously juicy, easy drinking, gulpable wines. Of more interest are the Cru wines from the 10 villages in the north of the region where the soil is predominantly granitic schist and where the vines are planted on gently undulating slopes. These can be well-structured, intensely perfumed wines, redolent of ripe black fruits and, while delicious young, will reward medium term cellaring.
Gamay is also grown in the Touraine region of the Loire where it produces soft, well-balanced, gluggable wines for drinking young.
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Description
This wine comes in part from La Rochelle and in part from other sectors of Moulin à Vent. The nose is very seductive with gorgeous plummy fruit and a crunchy fresh mineral finish. The wine is matured in a mix of tank and barrel but there is no oak to taste, it perfectly rounds out the fruit. This is a brilliant expression of the appellation and demonstrates the dedication of the new team, Parinet Père et fils.
Jasper Morris MW, Burgundy Wine Director - June 2013
Happily Beaujolais is on the up again, with its juicy, digestive wines in sync with lighter eating habits. There is a bit more to this one though; it is a renascent domaine in the region’s best commune. The Gamay’s extra weight from granite soils recalls a decent village-level Burgundian Pinot Noir, making this a regularly affordable treat at home.
Mark Pardoe MW, Wine Buying Director - March 2013
Château de Moulin à Vent:
This classic estate of 30 hectares in the heart of Moulin à Vent has recently been purchased by the Parinet family, whose first vintage is 2009. They plan to make up to five different wines from each vintage, demonstrating the various terroirs which they own in the heart of the appellation. They have clearly got off to a winning start as the wines below demonstrate.
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