The 2017 Chateau Moulin-A-Vent Champ de Cour is a Gamay wine from the Beaujolais region in Burgundy, France. Produced by Chateau Moulin-a-Vent, it is a red wine with an alcohol content of 13.0%, sealed with a cork closure.
This wine hails from an eight-acre parcel at the base of the hill in Thorins, where the deeper soil retains more water. The 2017 vintage faced a significant challenge due to hail, which drastically reduced the crop yield. However, the remaining fruit has resulted in an impressive and formidable wine.
Wine & Spirits awarded this wine a score of 93, noting that it "cascades with fruit up front, before the tannins tighten around all that floral intensity." The reviewer highlighted the complex bouquet that develops with aeration, mentioning "scents of figs, plums, and strawberries" that contribute to its racy fruit flavors. The recommendation is to decant the bottle if consumed now, suggesting it pairs well with roast squab and wild mushrooms (Wine & Spirits, 10/1/2020).
Similarly, Wine Spectator also gave a 93 score, describing the wine as "elegantly textured, with glossy tannins encasing raspberry coulis and ripe cherry notes." The review by GS emphasized additional flavors like black tea, orange zest, licorice, and sleek mineral details. The wine is described as serious and capable of aging well, with a suggested drinking window from now through 2030. Notably, only 125 cases were produced, and 50 cases were imported (Wine Spectator, 3/31/2021).
Wine Enthusiast also rated this wine 93 points, with Roger Voss commenting on the concentrated nature of the wine due to the small harvest. He described it as having "dense tannins and impressive black fruits" layered with acidity and a structured character. Voss recommends further aging to allow the wine to fully develop its flavors, suggesting a drinking window starting in 2022 (Wine Enthusiast, 9/1/2020).
In summary, the 2017 Chateau Moulin-A-Vent Champ de Cour is a well-regarded Gamay wine noted for its rich fruit flavors, dense tannins, and aging potential. All three reviewers agree on its high quality, each awarding it a score of 93.