2019 Domaine Diochon Moulin-A-Vent Cuvee Vieilles Vigne

2019 Domaine Diochon Moulin-A-Vent Cuvee Vieilles Vigne

2019 Domaine Diochon Moulin-A-Vent Cuvee Vieilles Vigne Diochon’s muscular red may not be as immediately accessible as the other crus, but it will change any preconceived notions you may have about Beaujolais. Deep, dark aromas of earth and blackberries put a powerful spin on quaffability.

93 Robert Parker: The 2019 Moulin-à-Vent Vieilles Vignes has turned out well, offering up a lovely bouquet of wild berries and plums, complemented by hints of potpourri, spice and licorice. Medium to full-bodied, deep and concentrated, it’s quite a muscular, structured wine, framed by youthfully chewy tannins that will melt away with a year or two in bottle, evolving into something velvety and more enveloping. As usual, this cuvée is mostly whole cluster and sees a classic two-week maceration with submerged cap before maturation in foudre.

96 Jeb Dunnuck: Tasted out of bottle, the 2017 Insignia is beautiful stuff that excels in the vintage. Revealing a dense purple color as well as stunning notes of crème de cassis, lead pencil shavings, tobacco, and earth, it hits the palate with full-bodied richness, a silky, seamless texture, building tannins, and a great finish. It has the more linear, elegant style of the vintage, yet it’s balanced, has ample concentration, and is just a gorgeous wine that will evolve for 30 years or more.

Domaine Diochon

At the foot of the rolling vineyards of Moulin-à-Vent, Domaine Diochon has been making Beaujolais the old-fashioned way since 1935. Bernard Diochon succeeded his father in 1967. As a torchbearer to the ancestral methods passed down to him, Bernard explains, “I like tannic wines without heaviness; with fruit and floral aromas. Every vigneron naturally chooses to make wines in the style they prefer.” In 2007, Bernard wanted to retire but had no heirs. He appointed Thomas Patenôtre as his heir apparent, which has turned out to be an easy transition. We are grateful that the Diochon tradition continues through Thomas, safeguarding the ancestral methods that have distinguished the domaine’s wines for nearly a century.