Chateau des Jacques 2022 Moulin-a-Vent La Rochelle by Louis Jadot

The 2022 Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent La Rochelle by Maison Louis Jadot is a compelling expression of top-tier Beaujolais Cru from one of the region’s most respected estates. Built on Gamay’s fresh red fruit and enlivened by pink granite-inflected minerality, it balances intensity with finesse and offers both immediate pleasure and medium-term cellaring potential.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Château des Jacques sits within the coveted Moulin-à-Vent AOC in northern Beaujolais, Burgundy, and has been part of Maison Louis Jadot’s portfolio since 1996, managed with a Burgundian perspective on quality and longevity. The estate’s holdings include premier terroirs such as La Rochelle, Rochegrès, Carquelin, and others, all resting on pink granite soils that contribute to the cru’s distinctive structure and mineral character.

The 2022 Moulin-à-Vent La Rochelle is made from 100% Gamay harvested by hand from vines planted in the La Rochelle sector of the appellation—renowned for refined, structured wines. After gentle destemming and a longer maceration typical of Beaujolais Cru, the wine is fermented and then matured for approximately 10 months in a mix of concrete vats and oak barrels sourced from Nivernais, Limousin, and Allier forests. This regime enhances texture and complexity without overwhelming Gamay’s inherent vibrant fruit.

Moulin-à-Vent is often dubbed the most “Burgundian” of Beaujolais crus due to its capacity for body, depth, and ageability—a reputation this domaine exemplifies.

Critics Reviews
The 2022 vintage of Château des Jacques Moulin-à-Vent (including La Rochelle parcels in the bottling) has garnered broad critical acclaim across established wine publications:

• Wine Enthusiast awards it 93 points, noting restrained yet expressive aromas of grilled meat, redcurrant, black plum, and dried cherry, with chalky, graphite-tinged mid-palate and firm tannins that suggest both early appeal and bottle evolution.

• James Suckling scores it 92 points, highlighting its minerality with wet stone, bark, strawberry, and rosemary notes, accompanied by fine-grained tannins and excellent length.

• Vinous gives 91 points, describing a savory, marine-tinged bouquet with finely delineated black fruits and a slightly spicy, pepper-tinged finish.

• Wine Spectator rates it 90 points, praising the round, mouth-coating palate with red currant, wild herbs, mocha and espresso nuances, concluding with a salty, persistent close and recommending enjoyability through the late 2020s.

These scores collectively paint a picture of a wine that combines fresh fruit, structural grip, and savory complexity in a way uncommon for basic Beaujolais.

Tasting Profile
Nose: Bright and expressive with red cherry, raspberry, and subtle violet florals, underscored by mineral notes of wet stone and a touch of aromatic spice.

Palate: Medium-bodied yet substantial, the palate reveals juicy red and dark fruit framed by lively acidity and fine tannins. Minerality and savory herbs (rosemary, wild herb) add tension and complexity, while soft oak nuances lend depth.

Finish: Long and refreshing, with lingering red fruit, subtle pepper spice, and an appetizing saline edge that invites another sip or pairing with food.

Quick Overview