Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Grand Carquelin 2020

Château des Jacques

Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Grand Carquelin
2020

Country
France
Regulated designation
Appellation origine controlée (AOC)
Region
Beaujolais
Appellation
Moulin-à-Vent
Varietal(s)
Gamay 100 %
Alcohol percentage
14%
Colour
Red
Sugar
Dry
Producer's website

About this winery

See the Château des Jacques detail page for more information on this brand

Product notes

A few meters from the Moulin à Vent and La Roche, slightly more south-facing, Le Clos du Grand Carquelin is a special cuvée from a 12-hectare plot. The light soil is composed of sand and a small amount of clay on top of a bedrock that contains a high percentage of manganese.

Production notes

Picked by hand in boxes, sorted and often destemmed, the grapes macerate slowly for three to four weeks. Pigeages or pumping over punctuate the fermentation. The wines are aged for 10 months, in oak barrels of one wine, two wines and new, in our old cellar from the 17th century.

Tasting notes

With a deep cherry red color, Clos du Grand Carquelin presents deep and concentrated aromas of sumptuous red fruits and spices that are both dense and elegant. On the palate, the full-bodied flavors are fleshy, smooth and generous and the noble tannins of the wine help to give a balanced, harmonious and delicate character to the whole. Pairings with meats in sauce, venison and cheese.

Press reviews

James Suckling

- 94 points -

James Suckling, February 2023 (Vintage 2021)

Stunning nose of violets and amarena cherry! Ripe and concentrated with plenty of fine tannins and an acidity that’s extremely elegant for the 2021 vintage. Very long finish with stacks of wet stone and licorice character, plus a touch of vanilla. Excellent aging potential. Drink or hold.

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Vinous

- 93 points -

Josh Raynolds, August 2021 (Vintage 2018)

Deep ruby. Intensely perfumed dark fruit liqueur, violet and licorice scents, along with hints of exotic spices and cola. Chewy and penetrating on the palate, offering sappy blackberry, bitter cherry, floral pastille and succulent herb flavors that become livelier as the wine stretches out. Finishes extremely long and sweet, with building tannins and lingering spice and cherry notes.

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Wine Advocate

- 93 points -

William Kelley, August 2022 (Vintage 2020)

Opening in the glass with aromas of cherries, sweet berries, vine smoke, spices and orange rind, the 2020 Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Grand Carquelin is medium to full-bodied, ample and lively, with powdery tannins, bright acids and a refined, elegant profile that belies the inherent power of the vintage, concluding with a long finish.

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Wine Advocate

93 + Points

William Kelley, May 2020 (Vintage 2018)

Offering up aromas of cherries, blackberries, dark chocolate and spices, the 2018 Moulin-à-Vent Clos du Grand Carquelin is medium to full-bodied, deep and muscular, with a concentrated core of fruit and ripe but youthfully chewy structuring tannins. More integrated than the 2017 was at the same age, its élevage in wood is largely imperceptible.

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Jancis Robinson

16 Pts / 20 Pts

Tom Parker, November 2019 (Vintage 2018)

Smoky wood on the nose with blueberry and red strawberry. Chalky tannins in tandem with sweet hedgerow fruits on the palate. Quite firm and yet ripe in fruit. Needs to settle.

The soil here has more sand and clay than many parts of this cru. Partly destemmed and vinified in large vats with pumpovers before maturation for 12 months in oak barrels.

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Jancis Robinson

16,5/20 Points

Julia Harding, January 2021 (Vintage 2020)

Rich damson fruit on the nose. A touch more savoury than the Rochegrès, perhaps a little more stemmy/leafy. Likewise on the palate, more chewy, but really satisfying balance between fruit and structure. 

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