Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent Clos de Rochegrès 2021
Moulin-à-Vent is one of the 10 Crus of Beaujolais and deservedly considered as the 'king' appellation thanks to the quality, structure, concentration and longevity of its wines. The appellation is renowned for its pink granite, multitude of micro-terroirs and over 69 lieux-dits (named places with distinct topographic features). One such parcel is Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent Clos de Rochegrès. Rising to a peak of 361 metres above sea-level it is often the last of Château des Jacques vineyards to be harvested. The soil here is made of pink granite with some quartz and although shallow, it is richer in clay than those lower to the windmill, allowing to produce a wine with great aromatic freshness and whose tannins, while present, are notably supple and fine-grained. The Clos de Rochegrès vineyard is managed in an organic way and the wine itself made in the Burgundian way - where Gamay is treated like a Pinot Noir - with open tank fermentation, 'pigeage', destemming and maturation in oak barrels for 10-12 months. It also produces one of the long lived Moulin-à-Vents that has the capacity to mature beautifully over 20-30 years. This wine has an exquisite deep cherry red colour. It releases powerful aromas of lush red fruit and spices, both elegant and dense. The taste is abundant, tannins are well-formed despite their youth, at once harmonious, delicate and impressive. A wine of the highest standard, with a full, fleshy fruit character. It will be fine drinking for 10-20 years, perhaps even longer. This wine will perfectly match with red meat in sauce, game and most cheeses.