2021 Moulin-à-Vent, La Rochelle, Olivier Merlin, Beaujolais

The 2021 Moulin-à-Vent La Rochelle unveils aromas of lilacs, plums, raspberries, candied orange peel, Indian spices, iodine and cracked white pepper on the nose. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has a tightly knit structure with fine-grained tannins and a contoured lining of acidity. While the fruit appears somewhat restrained in its youthful state, it is evenly distributed and imparts a welcomed velvety texture. The acidity and the iodine-like salinity play well into the wine's underlying flavours. Thus, I expect it will show quite well as the tannins settle down with some time in bottle.

Drink 2024 - 2032

100% whole clusters

This is aromatically similar to the regular cuvée but spicier still along with an admirably discreet application of wood. There is excellent underlying tension to the finer but not denser flavors that are quite rich before tightening up considerably on the powerful, serious and built-to-age finish. This youthfully austere and compact effort will absolutely need at least moderate patience but is worth checking out for those who are willing to cellar it.

Drink from 2029 onward