Château Moulin Riche, `M de Moulin Riche` Saint-Julien
Vintage: 2018
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | MR102B18 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Available |
Producer
Previously the second wine of Second Growth Château Léoville Poyferré, Château Moulin Riche became an independent Saint-Julien estate in 2009, though it remains under the same ownership. The estate was bought alongside Château Léoville Poyferré in 1920 by the Cuvelier family, who apply the same rigorous standards across all their properties. The chief oenologist of Léoville Poyferré, Isabelle Davin, is also responsible for making the wines of Château Moulin Riche.
The estate comprises 22 hectares of vines in Saint-Julien, planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot and Cabernet Franc. Due to receive organic certification from the 2024 vintage, their sustainably farmed vines have an average age of 25 years and are planted on Garonne gravel and aeolian soils. The grapes are hand-picked before undergoing a rigorous sorting process, first by hand in the vineyard, then again at the winery using a state-of-the-art optical sorting machine. This ensures that only perfectly ripe and healthy grapes are vinified.
Each plot is harvested and fermented separately in stainless-steel vats before ageing for 18-20 months in a combination of new and second-use French oak barrels. The resulting wine has an opulent fruit character with ripe tannins and a spicy complexity on the palate.
‘M de Moulin Riche’ is Château Moulin Riche's second wine designed for earlier drinking. This blend of Petit Verdot, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc is sourced from younger vines within the estate. After fermentation, the wine is aged for six months in two-year-old French oak barrels, creating a lively, fruit-forward classic Bordeaux with notes of black fruits and cedar, fresh acidity, and structured tannins.
Vineyards
Located in the Saint-Julien appellation, Château Moulin Riche covers 22 hectares. The vineyards are planted with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot on soils of Garonne gravels and aeolian sands. Vineyard management techniques are performed by hand to ensure each vine is carefully tended to. The Château also focuses on sustainable viticulture, reducing the use of machinery and chemical sprays so fruit retains its varietal characteristics while displaying a great sense of place.
Vintage
The 2018 vintage in Saint-Julien unfolded as a year of sharp contrasts, beginning with one of the wettest winters and springs in recent memory, which brought significant mildew pressure and demanded rigorous vineyard work. From mid-July onward, conditions shifted dramatically to a long, hot and dry summer with cool nights that allowed the vines to recover and ripen steadily. Small, concentrated berries with deep colour, ripe tannins and excellent balance were the hallmark of the harvest. The resulting wines are powerful yet refined, combining richness and freshness with impressive structure and long-term ageing potential.
Vinification
Upon arrival at the winery, the grapes were double sorted: first by bunch, then, after destemming, by berry using an optical sorting machine. Alcoholic fermentation was carried out with selected yeast strains, followed by malolactic fermentation in new barrels. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak, 20% of which was new, with traditional racking performed in barrel to refine texture and clarity.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
This is a fruity and classic Bordeaux with a nose offering red plums, blackcurrant and cedar wood aromas. The palate shows brisk acidity and structured tannins with a bright and fresh finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
14%
Acidity
5.1 g/l
Residual Sugar
0.6 g/l
pH
3.75
Other wines from this producer
Producer | Wine | Product Code | Features | Style | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Château Moulin Riche | Saint-Julien | MR101 | R | Factsheet |