2015 Chateau du Moulin-A-Vent

A very hot summer and one of the earliest vintages, hand harvested 27 August to 2 September. In this vintage the blend comprises fruit from Les Thorins, Le Moulin-à-Vent and Aux Caves. Vines aged 40–80+ years on granitic soils over subsoils rich in manganese. Yields a little lower than 2016 but much higher than 2017 at 27 hl/ha. 80% whole bunches. Cold pre-fermentation maceration then three weeks on skins. 20% of the wine aged 18 months in oak, of which 20% new and the rest 3rd fill. A bigger and more powerful wine from a hotter vintage, which shows in the deeper colour. Much darker in colour than the 2016 and much much darker than the 2017. There’s also a sweetness of spicy black fruit, blackberry and damson, which points to a hotter year and perhaps also some new oak. As it opens up on the day after opening, the scent of the 2016 and 2017 starts to appear though without the floral notes. Also that stone-dust character. On the palate, this is firm, beautifully dry and it’s the tannins that, combined with remarkably good acidity, give the freshness on the long finish. Dry like dark chocolate – ie not astringent but leaves your mouth feeling clean. Lovely tension and as in all three vintages, that salty, mouth-watering finish. This is one for the long term even with the riper fruit character. Persistent. And still terrific after being open a week.  (JH)

Opaque ruby. Primary red and dark berries on the deeply perfumed nose, along with a suggestion of pungent flowers. Fleshy, spice-laced blackberry and bitter cherry flavors stretch out and become sweeter with air. Rich but nicely energetic as well, finishing long, broad and juicy, featuring repeating dark fruit character and smooth, harmonious tannins that lend grip.

The 2015 Moulin a Vent was picked at 27 hectoliters per hectare from 27 August until 2 September and aged in 40% oak for 18 months. It has a clean and precise bouquet: blackberry, hints of blueberry and a touch of sage. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin. This is very well defined and harmonious, with the oak neatly integrated and delivering a sophisticated, lightly spiced finish. This is promising.