Description
“The Janin’s estate is one of the leading lights of the Romanèche Thorins. Its manicured vineyards are predominantly planted in manganese rich soils that emphasize the wines spicy, very original taste of terroir and improve their ageing potential.” Bettane & Desseauve’s Guide to the Wines of France.
This is the area of Burgundy that delivers the greatest values in red wines and when you consider that quality Moulin à Vent can easily live and develop for 40 to 50 years … you can hardly have too much of the stuff.
Janin’s seven hectares of Moulin à Vent vines are scattered over 10 different parcels. Old vines, low yields and organic/biodynamic viticulture are the norm. No wonder La Revue du Vin de France lists Janin as amongst their top six Beaujolais growers. The wines are raised in the same huge 35/hl barrels first purchased by Eric Janin’s grandfather and are neither fined nor filtered. They are some of the most age worthy wines from the region with a structured, mineral, ferrous intensity that screams “granite “. This is in fact one of the very few Beaujolais estates forced to strictly allocate their wines … hence the very limited quantities we have available!
From one of Moulin à Vent’s historic vineyards, this single site cuvée has become a beacon for the entire region. The Clos du Tremblay is a 2 hectare parcel of very old vines (80 to 100 years). The clos was historically enclosed by a stone wall whose legacy is now only visible from the sky. The name Tremblay is also a throwback to the past. This was the name given to the climat when it was first granted A.O.C status in 1936. Today, you won’t find the name on any map as it has been renamed Les Burdelines. The twisted old bush vines in this parcel produce some of Beaujolais’ smallest yields of intensely flavoured Gamay berries. The ripe fruit and stems are perfectly suited to the 100% whole bunch vinification that Janin chooses to apply to this site. The soils, strewn with clumps of pink granite and rich in manganese, play a major part in the wine’s classically structured and mineral character.
The 2014 really is the business. Highly aromatic with dark cherry, blackberry, anise and bitter chocolate notes that flow through to the pure, fine and long palate. Dense fruit, powder fine tannins and that Moulin-à-Vent smoky, ‘graphite’ minerality are all in play. Serious Moulin-à-Vent. Janin recommends at least 5-7 years before this terroir begins to really express itself in bottle, but hey, what’s a Beaujolais lover going to do?
About the 2014 vintage … Antonio Galloni, Vinous “… 2014 might turn out to have produced the most consistently outstanding group of Beaujolais since the legendary 2005s, which is saying something. That’s especially true for readers who prize the classic style of Beaujolais that emphasizes energetic fruit and mineral character, qualities the ‘14s possess in spades … the 2014s exhibit lively berry and floral character punctuated by zesty minerality. The wines are concentrated yet not heavy, and show good structure without coming off as outsized … hugely appealing right now but I have no doubt that they will reward another three to five years of aging.”
RRP $70
