Domaine du Moulin
Domaine du Moulin can be found quite close to the village of Cellettes which is north east of the city of Tours in the Loire Valley. Here Hervé Villemade and his sister Isabelle produce exciting natural wines from a variety of grapes including Pinot Noir, Gamay, Malbec (called Cot in the Loire), Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay which are produced under the Cheverny appellation. They also have some vines in the nearby Cour-Cheverny appellation where the obscure Romorantin grape is found.
Hervé makes his thrilling white wines using organic vineyard practices and organic winemaking methods. He also makes excellent reds based on a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. He also makes a no-sulphur Malbec and Gamay called Pivoine which we really love. His wines are also very low in sulphur.
Domaine du Moulin Cour Cheverny Acacias Blanc 2009
This wine is made from the Romorantin grape, in fact the tiny Cour Cheverny
appellation is the only place in France where it is produced. Herve Villemade
has Romorantin vines that are 45 years old. These vines are bordered by lovely
large acacia trees which give the name to the wine. The wine was matured in 500
litre barrels.This is a fascinating wine because it has been deliberately oxidised to bring out the best qualities of the grape. We love drinking it as an aperitif.
RRP: SOLD OUT
Domaine du Moulin Cheverny Blanc Domaine 2010
This
is a staff favourite both for its flavour and for its value-for -money. It is
actually quite an elegant, refined wine that is perfect with a range of foods
including seafood, cheese and white meats. A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Chardonnay this wine is only produced
in small quantities from vines that are between 18 and 24 years old. It is a fresh, lively wine with lovely fruit and a nice
balancing acidity. The wine is matured on lees to provide additional complexity. The wine is unfiltered.
You will find this wine quite complex and interesting even though the price is
so reasonable.
RRP: SOLD OUT
Domaine du Moulin Vin de Pays du Val de Loire Sauvignon 2010
A pure Sauvignon Blanc from Domaine du Moulin that belies its low price tag.
Hervé Villemade does great things with Sauvignon Blanc and this wine is no
exception - and at this price it is a steal! It is classified as a Vin de Pays
because the Cheverny appellation requires that white wines are blends of
Sauvignon Blanc and either Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc or Menu Pineau.
RRP: SOLD OUT
Domaine du Moulin Cheverny La Bodice Blanc 2009
A blend of 70% Sauvignon Blanc and 30% Chardonnay
picked from vines with an average age of 30 years, this wine is elegant, rich
and lasts for a long time on the palate. The wine is unfiltered. But there
is a lot more going on here. It has oxidative qualities - one of the
characteristics that we love in wine if it is done judiciously. Our first taste
of this wine was quite explosive. The oxygen effect gives it an umami flavour
that is compulsive and compelling. It was aged in wooden vats and barrels in
contact with its lees to provide additional complexity.
This vintage comes with the new Vinlock glass stopper rather than a cork to ensure that the wine stays fresh and lively.
RRP: $36
Domaine du Moulin Cheverny Les Ardilles Rouge 2009
At the vineyard tasting this wine stood out for its elegance and structure. We loved the blend of 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Gamay.
There is a famous wine bar in New York called Terroir that publishes opinions about wine on their idiosyncratic Web site. Here is what they have to say about this lovely wine (they don't always use sentences!):
"Clay (light clays) and silex stones. More Pinot Noir (80%) than Gamay here. Superb nose, intensity. Les Ardilles is again and again, to my opinion, a great wine... Floral notes, elegant wine."
RRP: $34
Domaine du Moulin Cheverny Cuvee Domaine Rouge 2010
This wine was a standout at the recent tasting we had at Herve Villemade's
winery in Cellettes in the Loire Valley! An assemblage of 50% Pinot Noir and
50% Gamay, the grapes are sourced from a special part of the vineyard. It is a
lively, fresh, flavoursome wine that shows off the two grapes perfectly.
And Terroir in New York again:
"Pinot Noir and Gamay. Terroir of sand and flint stone (silex). Vinified in Grenier wooden vats of course. Half destemmed grapes, half whole clusters. Foot stomped. Very nice mouth."
RRP: $24
Domaine du Moulin Vin de Pays du Loir et Cher Pivoine Rouge 2008
The Pivoine is an exciting addition to our selection from Herve Villemade's
Domaine du Moulin range. Made from 90% Malbec (called Côt in the Loire) and 10% Gamay this wine has had no additional sulphur added so it is a fresh, lively
expression of the terroir and the Malbec fruit.
This wine is classified as a Vin de Pays because the maximum percentage of the Côt grape that can be used in a Cheverny red wine is 15% and this has 90%. If you want a reasonably-priced red wine with no added sulphur, this is a good one to try.
RRP: $28
Domaine du Moulin Vin de Table Bulle Blanche
We have been able to secure a small allocation of sparkling wines from Domaine du Moulin. They are presented simply with attractive labels and
crown-seal closures (just like a beer bottle). These are ideal summer quaffing
wines. This one is made from the local grape called Menu Pineau. It has a very,
very fine bead and a fresh, lively mouthfeel and greart depth of flavour. The finish is quite long.
This wine uses a crown seal closure with a plastic insert.
RRP: $33
Domaine du Moulin Vin de Table Bulle Rose
We have been able to secure a small allocation of sparkling wines from Domaine du Moulin. They are presented simply with attractive labels and crown-seal closures (just like a beer bottle). These are ideal summer quaffing wines. This one is a blend of 50% Pinot Noir and 50% Pineau d'Aunis.
This wine uses a crown seal closure with a plastic insert.
RRP: SOLD OUT