Domaine Anita - Moulin-a-Vent "Reine de Nuit" 2023
Price: $39.99
| Producer | Domaine Anita |
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| Country | France |
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| Region | Beaujolais |
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| Varietal | Gamay |
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| Vintage | 2023 |
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| Sku | 37478 |
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James Suckling: 98 Points
How can you resist this truly extraordinary wine that redefines Beaujolais? Extremely concentrated yet also incredibly elegant, it has an almost supernatural vibrancy that blasts its way out of the conventions of the appellation. The delicate salinity adds an extra dimension of tension in the finish, making this dangerously exciting. Yes, there’s a cornucopia of black fruit, but none of this extravagance is too much. From a five-hectare block of vines in the Aux Caves lieu-dit. Drink or hold.
Vinous: 91 Points
The 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Reine de Nuit comes from granitic soils exposed to the southwest from 40-year-old vines, the fruit picked early in the morning. It underwent a semi-carbonic maceration and matured in concrete vats. The nose is quite backward at the moment, a touch of wet granite infusing the dark plummy fruit. The palate is medium-bodied with firm tannins, quite grippy in style, a solid Moulin-à-Vent that just needs time to shave its edges.
Wine Advocate: 91 Points
Suave and generous, the 2023 Moulin-à-Vent Reine de Nuit, vinified with whole clusters, offers complex notes of licorice, candied black cherry, chocolate, coffee and eucalyptus. Full-bodied, the wine's layered silky fruit is encapsulated by a structuring of very tight-knit but smooth tannins that gradually cinch the wine, prompting a crisp, salty finish that leaves you reaching for the glass for more. Domaine Anita was founded in 2015 by Anita Neveu after a stint in the professional cycling world led her to the rolling hills of Beaujolais. Situated in Chénas, the domaine covers 15 hectares in Moulin à Vent, Morgon, Chénas, Fleurie, Beaujolais and Beaujolais-Villages. The domaine's ethos is dedicated to showcasing the distinctive personalities of each parcel, making 12 cuvées in total. Anita's true strength lies in her ability to harness the sumptuousness of the Gamay grape while avoiding any tendency toward cloying density. While the 2022s exhibited an undeniable opulence, the 2023s distinguish themselves through their balance; they are still generous, yet with greater transparency in expressing the nuances of their respective terroirs. Notably, this vintage offers a deeper insight into the wines’ textural intricacies. For those who appreciate Gamay with splendor, most of these offerings are well-suited for enjoyment within the next few years. However, their structural integrity and overall builds ensure they are equally capable of withstanding extended aging.
