Les Vérillats 2016, Château du Moulin-à-Vent

Les Vérillats is one of the earliest delineated terroirs of Moulin-à-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 cm 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.

‘Les Vérillats’ stand at the very top of an old granitic mount at 280 meters high (918 feet). The top soils there are very thin (approx. 60cm) and hence sometime trellis stakes cannot always be fully anchored. There are specific granitic soils (gorrhe), laying over deeper soils rich in manganese and metallic oxides. The powerful winds blowing on the appellation have a decisive impact on the sanitary state of the vineyards, the maturation and the berries concentration.

2016 is a good vintage. The wines are elegant and very balanced, representative of their terroirs.

25% full cluster; pumping-over during cold prefermentation soak and at the end of fermentation to increase roundness and finesse. Punching the cap at the beginning of fermentation; 21 days extraction to bring out the full potential of the terroirs.

Les Vérillats has a deep red color with an intense nose of black fruit, unusual for the appellation. The mouth is full and supple, with a delicious smoothness balanced by the freshness of the fruit and spices.