Magnum of Moulin-à-Vent, Château du Moulin-à-Vent 2024

Château du Moulin-à-Vent is a historic property in the eponymous Beaujolais cru, embracing 30 hectares of vines around the château itself, the famous windmill that gives the cru its name, and the hamlet of Les Thorins. The château is actually close to the windmill in the very heart of the appellation but the vines are spread across 23 vineyard sites and 120 plots between 200 and 300 metres above sea level, all in the best parts of the cru.

Farmed organically the management of the land is assiduous and dedicated, with much replanting already carried out and work done to ensure that the soils and densely planted vines are as healthy as can be. As such, it is unsurprising that yields are low and that the harvest is carried out manually into small containers so that the grapes are not damaged before reaching the cellars. Depending on the cuvée some bunches are destemmed while others are fermented whole, but the wines are made only in small tanks so that each can be watched over carefully.

The Parinet family own and manage the property after IT entrepreneur Jean-Jacques Parinet acquired it in 2009, and they have invested well here to raise the standards in both vineyard and cellars. Jean-Jacques has the help of his son Edouard and winemaker Brice Laffond in making this a flagship property for the cru.