Champ de Cour sits at the bottom of the hill below the windmill that gives Château du Moulin-à-Vent its name. The top soil is made of alluvium and clearer colored clay. Deep and heavier than in the rest of the appellation, it retains more water which scarcely stops the ripening process.
20% destemmed, pumped-over during cold prefermentation soak and at the end of fermentation to increase roundness and finesse. The cap was puched down at the beginning of fermentation with 21 days extraction to bring out the full potential of the terroirs. A year months, 100% French oak barrels then four months in stainless steel tank before bottling, medium toast, oak chosen from the Allier forests. Taransaud and François Frères, to bring out the wine’s signature aromas and tannins. The origin, grain and toast intensity are chosen according to the characteristics of the vintage.
Shimmering purple. Assertive, smoke-accented aromas of fresh dark berries, violet, licorice and exotic spices. Energetic black raspberry, bitter cherry and floral pastille flavors show impressive depth, and a spine of smoky minerality adds lift and delineation. Turns sweeter on the youthfully tannic, penetrating finish, which hangs on with strong, floral-driven tenacity.
94 points, Vinous (October 2019)
This light- to medium-bodied red strikes a good balance between elegance and power, with floral notes weaving through the raspberry reduction and cherry tart flavors. Elements of berry tea, licorice and spice linger into the long, plush finish.
92 points, Gillian Sciaretta, Wine Spectator (November 2019)
With increasing maturity, this wine has become rich and open. The structure is still there as are perfumed black fruits. This wine still has several years in it, although it is ready to drink now.
93 points, Wine Enthusiast (April 2020)
This joyful and elegant Moulin-à-Vent has very effusive, ripe cherry and mulberry aromas. Juicy and vivid with a long, mineral finish.
91 points, JamesSuckling.com (January 2019)
From a lieu-dit that's richer in clay, the 2016 Moulin-à-Vent Champ de Cour displays a bouquet of earthy, spicy plums and red fruit, framed by recently used oak. On the palate, the wine is medium to full-bodied, with an ampler, fleshier profile than Les Vérillats, its initially chewy tannins melting on the finish. With more concentration and less oak influence, it would score higher.
91 points, Wine Advocate (September 2018)
“Today, after a period of being the pariahs of the wine world, they are once again worthy objects of interest for serious wine lovers. This is all due to the magic combination of the Gamay grape and the particular characteristics of the best villages in the region, including the famous ‘crus’ Beaujolais.” Jancis Robinson MW
The most full bodied and powerful wines in Beaujolais, the region can also create the longest-lasting examples. Because of their richness and structure the wine can support the use of oak which adds more tannin and structure to the wines. The term, “Vieillie en fût de chêne', generally indicated this practice… and price point.
