Moulin-à-Vent “La Rochelle” AOC 2019

Wine description for Moulin-à-Vent “La Rochelle” AOC 2019 by Romanesca

Colour & Appearance

A clear, medium-deep garnet red shines in the glass.

Nose

The wine presents itself beautifully focused and characterised by bright, inviting fruit. It exhales intense aromas of redcurrants, tart barberries, juicy sour cherries and ripe raspberries. Behind this, subtle notes of stewed plums emerge, refined with a delicate touch of vanilla and cinnamon.

Palate

On the palate, the juicy, slightly sweet fruit pairs with savoury nuances of smoke, damp earth and a hint of dry wood. The structure is remarkable: a lively, animating acidity and fine-grained, grippy tannins give the wine excellent support. Despite all its concentration, this Moulin-à-Vent remains transparent, pleasantly rustic and of aristocratic elegance.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the single vineyard site La Rochelle, located west of the village centre of Moulin-à-Vent. The Chastel family owns 2.3 hectares here. The soil consists of deeply weathered granite, which lends the Gamay its fine structure. The vines are around 50 years old and root deeply into the rock.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Gamay Noir à Jus Blanc from vines trained in the traditional Gobelet system. After selective hand-harvesting, the whole bunches underwent a macération semi-carbonique for around 15 days in concrete vats. The subsequent ageing took place for one year in used oak barrels.

Food Pairings

Excellent with roast chicken from the oven with harissa and lemon, a creamy Comté polenta with roasted Jerusalem artichoke and Eggs Benedict, or spicy tacos.

Special Features

This wine marks the visionary transformation of the estate under twins Antoine and Olivier Chastel. Instead of blending the vineyard sites as in the past, this parcel is vinified separately to bring the pure, unadulterated expression of the historic Moulin-à-Vent terroir into the glass – masterfully crafted in the first vintage following the transition to organic farming.