Domaine Anita’s Moulin-à-Vent “La Rochelle” 2024 is a single-vineyard Gamay from the granite-rich soils of Moulin-à-Vent, one of Beaujolais’ most structured crus. The estate itself is a relatively new name, founded in 2015 by Anita (Kuhnel) Neveu in Chénas, and it has built its reputation on parcel-by-parcel bottlings and sustainable (“lutte raisonnée”) viticulture. Fruit is typically harvested by hand and handled separately by site, a practical underpinning to the domaine’s terroir-focused approach.

For the 2024 La Rochelle, the only published professional note so far comes from Vinous, where Neal Martin rates it 91 points—an excellent early score for a cru Beaujolais that is still clearly settling into place. Martin notes that the wine “needs to shake off a bit of reduction on the nose,” but he also finds clear fruit definition beneath that initial veil, citing “clean red cherry and blackcurrant fruit underneath.”

On the palate, Martin describes a wine that balances approachability with the firm structure expected of Moulin-à-Vent: it is “medium-bodied with supple tannins,” yet still shows “decent backbone.” That combination suggests a La Rochelle that is not just about immediate charm, but also about grip and shape—qualities often highlighted in the cru’s best sites and in serious, site-specific Gamay. Martin’s comment that it “leaves it rather Morgon-like on the finish” is telling: expect a slightly earthier, more grounded close than the more overtly floral or high-toned expressions of the variety.

The practical drinking advice is straightforward. As Martin puts it, “Give it a year in bottle,” allowing the aromatics to open and the structure to knit together. Details such as élevage and alcohol for this vintage have not been widely reported yet.