Chateau du Moulin-A-Vent Croix des Verillats

About

Located in the southernmost tip of the Burgundy region, Moulin-a-Vent was one of the first appellations awarded AOC status in 1936. Chateau du Moulin-a-Vent, named for the 300-year-old stone windmill atop the hill of Les Thorins, dates back to 1732, when it was called Chateau des Thorins. Today, the estate encompasses 37 hectares (91.4 acres) of the appellations finest climats Les Verillats, Le Champ de Cour, La Rochelle planted to Gamay Noir averaging 40 years in age. The underlying granite soil is rich in iron oxide, copper and manganese, which may account for the wines aging potential. Since 2009, under the new ownership of the Parinet family, investment in the winemaking facilities and the vineyards has resulted in plot-specific signature wines expressing the individual characteristics of each exceptional terroir.

Les Verillats is one of the earliest delineated terroirs of Moulin-a-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 centimeters (23.6 inches) 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.

Chateau du Moulin-A-Vent Croix des Verillats has notes of dark berries and lemon zest, that are very important here. There are also some dried meat and bark undertones. Full body, tight tannins with lots of ripe fruit and a warm finish. A big wine with a backbone that gives it form and focus.